n things are pieced together it looks
bad for B. Tresco."

"I know him quite well," said Rose: "he's the goldsmith. What would he
have to do with the delivery of mails?"

"Things have got this far," said the Pilot. "The postal authorities say
all the bags weren't delivered on board. They don't accuse anyone of
robbery as yet, but they want the names of the boat's crew. These Mr.
Crookenden says he can't give, as the crew was a special one, and the
man in charge of the boat is away. But from the evidence that Sartoris
has brought, it looks as if Tresco could throw light on the matter."

"It's for the police to take the thing up," said Sartoris. "I'm not a
detective meself; I'm just a plain sailor--I don't pretend to be good at
following up clues. But if the police want this here clue, they can have
it. It's the best one of its kind I ever come across: look at it from
whatever side you please. It's almost as perfect a clue as you could
have, if you had one made to order. A policeman that couldn't follow up
that clue----'Tresco' on the knife, and, alongside of it, the bit of
mail-bag--why, he ought to be turned loose in an unsympathising world,
and break stones for a living. It's a beautiful clue. It's a clue a man
can take a pride in; found all ready on the beach; just a-waitin' to be
picked up, and along comes a chuckle-headed old salt and grabs it. Now,
that clue ought to be worth a matter of a hundred pound to the
Government. What reward is offered, Pilot?"

"There's none, as I'm aware of," answered Summerhayes. "But if the
post-master is a charitable sort of chap, he might be inclined to
recommend, say, fifty; you bein' a castaway sailor in very 'umble
circumstances. I'll see what I can do. I'll see the Mayor."

"Oh, you will!" exclaimed Sartoris. "You'd better advertise: 'Poor,
distressed sailor. All contributions thankfully received.' No, sir,
don't think you can pauperise _me_. A man who can find a clue like
that"--he brought the palm of his right hand down with a smack upon the
table, where Tresco's knife lay--"a man who can find that, sir, can make
his way in any community!"

Just at that moment there were heavy footsteps upon the verandah, and a
knocking at the front door.

Rose, who was sitting near the window, made a step or two towards the
passage, but the old Pilot, who from where he stood could see through
the glass of the front door, forestalled her, and she seated herself
opposite the skipper and