he who only stakes a part.

"S'pose we talk plainly as man to man?" said Coke thickly, at last.

"_I_ can't talk much plainer," said Verity.

"Yes, you can. Promise me the command of your next ship, an' the
Andromeda goes on the rocks this side o' Monte Video."

Verity jumped as though he had been stung by an infuriated wasp.

"Coke, I'm surprised at you," he grunted, not without a sharp glance
around to make sure no other was near.

"No, you ain't, not a bit surprised, on'y you don't like to 'ear it in
cold English. That's wot you're drivin' at--the insurance."

"Shut up, you ijjit. Never 'eard such d--d rot in all me born days."

"Listen to it now, then. It's good to 'ave the truth tole you some
times. Wot are you afraid of? I take all the risk an' precious little
of the money. Write me a letter----"

"Write! Me! Coke, you're loony."

"Not me. Wait till I'm through. Write a letter sayin' you're sorry
the _Andromeda_ must be laid up this fall, but promisin' me the next
vacancy. 'Ow does that 'urt _you_?"

Verity's cigar had gone out. He relighted it with due deliberation; it
could not be denied that his nerve, at least, was superb.

"I'm willin' to do anything in reason," he said slowly. "I don't see
where I can lay 'ands on a better man than you, Jimmie, even if you
_do_ talk nonsense at times. You know the South American trade, an'
you know me. By gad, I'll do that. Anyhow, it's wot you deserve, but
none the less, I'm actin' as a reel friend, now ain't I? Many a man
would just lay you up alongside the _Andromeeda_."

"I'll call at your office in the mornin' for the letter," said Coke,
whose red face shone like the setting sun seen through a haze.

"Yes, yes. I'll 'ave it ready."

"An' you won't back out of them extry stores? I must sweeten the crew
on this run."

"I'll supply the best of stuff--enough to last for the round trip. But
don't make any mistake. You must be back afore September 30th. That's
the date of the policy. Now let's trot inside, an' my gal--Mrs. Dickey
Bulmer that is to be--will give you some tea."

"Tea!" snorted Coke.

"Well, there's whisky an' soda on tap if you prefer it. It _is_ rather
'ot for tea. Whew! you're boilin'? W'y don't you wear looser clo'es?
Look at me--cool as a cucumber. By the way, 'oo's the new man you've
shipped as second? Watts is the chief, I know, but 'oo is Mr. Philip
Hozier?"

"Youngster fillin' in sea-service to get a t