nown ships leave the docks with their propellers
half sawn through all round. Lor', there's no end o' the tricks o' the
trade."

"I cannot believe, however," said Tom stoutly, "that Mr. Girdlestone
connives at such things."

"He's on the waitin' lay," the seaman answered. "He doesn't send 'em
down, but he just hangs on, and keeps his insurances up, and trusts in
Providence. He's had some good hauls that way, though not o' late.
There was the _Belinda_ at Cape Palmas. That was five thousand, clear,
if it was a penny. And the _Sockatoo_--that was a bad business!
She was never heard of, nor her crew. Went down at sea, and left no
trace."

"The crew too!" Tom cried with horror. "But how about yourselves, if
what you say is true?"

"We are paid for the risk," said both the seamen, shrugging their
shoulders.

"But there are Government inspectors?"

"Ha! ha! I dare say you've seen the way some o' them do their work!"
said Miggs.

Tom's mind was filled with consternation at what he had heard. If the
African merchant were capable of this, what might he not be capable of?
Was his word to be depended on under any circumstances? And what sort
of firm must this be, which turned so fair a side to the world and in
which he had embarked his fortune? All these thoughts flashed through
his mind as he listened to the gossip of the garrulous old sea dogs.
A greater shock still, however, was in store for him.

Von Baumser had been listening to the conversation with an amused look
upon his good-humoured face. "Ah!" said he, suddenly striking in,
"I vill tell you something of your own firm which perhaps you do not
know. Have you heard dat Mr. Ezra Girdlestone is about to be married?"

"To be married!"

"Oh yes; I have heard It dis morning at Eckermann's office. I think it
is the talk of the City."

"Who's the gal?" Miggs asked, with languid interest.

"I disremember her name," Von Baumser answered. "It is a girl the major
has met--the young lady who has lived in the same house, and is vat they
call a warder."

"Not--not his ward?" cried Tom, springing to his feet and turning as
white as a sheet. "Not Miss Harston? You don't tell me that he is
going to marry Miss Harston?"

"Dat is the name. Miss Harston it is, sure enough."

"It is a lie--an infamous lie!" Tom cried hotly.

"So it may be," Von Baumser answered serenely. "I do but say vat I have
heard, and heard more than once on good authority."

"If