hat moment, gave a very
good imitation of a fish unexpectedly jerked out of deep water to dry,
very dry land.

Captain Jethro did not seem to realize the effect of his question upon
his visitor. His big fist moved downward from his chin to the tip of his
beard, only to rise and take a new hold at the chin again. His gaze was
fixed upon the rolling sea outside.

"You see," he went on, "I kind of figger it out this way: If them folks
who bought Martha's stock are cal'latin' to buy up Development they'll
want more'n two hundred and fifty. I'll sell 'em mine at a reasonable
figger; sha'n't ask much over what I paid for it, I sha'n't. If they
ain't buyin' for anything 'special, but just 'cause they think it's a
good thing to keep--well, then--"

Galusha interrupted. The faculty of framing words and uttering them was
returning to him, albeit slowly and jerkily.

"Why--why, Captain Hallett," he faltered. "How--how--who--who--"

"Martha didn't tell me nothin' except that she had sold her stock,"
broke in the light keeper. "I guessed that, too, afore she told me.
She never mentioned your name, Mr. Bangs, nor where she sold it, nor
nothin'. But, of course, when I found out 'twas you who went to
Boston and fetched home the five thousand dollars I didn't need to be
told--much. Now, Mr. Bangs, I wish you'd see if you can't sell my four
hundred shares for me. It'll be consider'ble of a favor if you will. You
see, them shares--"

But Galusha did not wait for him to finish. His alarmed protests fairly
tumbled over each other.

"Why--why, Captain Hallett," he cried, "really I--I... ah... What you
ask is quite impossible. Oh, very much so--ah--very. You see... Well,
really, I... Captain Hallett, this entire matter was supposed to be a
secret, an absolute secret. I am surprised--and--ah--shocked to learn--"

The captain's big paw was uplifted as a signal. "Sshh! Heave to! Come up
into the wind a minute, Mr. Bangs. 'Tis a secret, fur's I'm consarned,
and 'twill be just the same after I've sold my stock. I realize that
business men don't want business matters talked about, 'tain't likely.
All I'd like to have you do is just see if you can't dispose of that
four hundred of mine, same as you done with Martha's. Just as a favor
I'm askin' it."

Galusha shook his head violently. His agitation was as great as ever.
After going through the agony of the frying pan and congratulating
himself that that torment was over, then to find he ha