el Rosario_--me and Peth, my mate, we own it with others.
In the wreckin' business it's touch and go. You got to be on the
spot, and there ain't been any too many wrecks out this way lately.
Let me go away for a week or two on this island business, and I'd
likely lose somethin' good. But with somebody to kind o' go in on
the deal, I'd split even at sixty-five dollars a day. I'd be some
out of pocket, if there wa'n't much gold there, but I look for
findin' it in a big way. It's a open and shut proposition."

"It sounds interesting," said Locke, getting more puzzled as to why
Jarrow should call on him to take him into his confidence regarding
plans about Dinshaw's island.

"There's big money in it," said Jarrow.

"May I ask why you think so, Captain Jarrow?" inquired Trask.

Jarrow turned to Trask in surprise. The question was appallingly
direct, and Trask's tone was crisp and business-like.

"I know it," said Jarrow, uncomfortably aware of being pinned down
to definite information.

"But I don't understand why you should take the trouble to tell us
about your proposed trip," said Locke.

"How?" Jarrow's head snapped up suddenly and his eyes opened in a
wide stare at Locke.

"What is the purpose of this interview?" demanded Locke. "There
seems to be some sort of mistake."

Jarrow put his foot down slowly and sucked his moustache in between
his lips. His ears twitched and his head ducked forward as he made
a swallowing movement with his throat.

"How's that again?" he whispered, as if he had lost his voice.

"From what you've said, captain, I gather you believe I have
something to do with the matter of the island."

Jarrow blew his moustache and gave a suppressed sigh of agony.

"Why--why, Dinshaw--he told me you wanted me and my schooner to go
to his island!"

Trask laughed outright in spite of his effort to keep still, and
Marjorie gave an exclamation of amazement. Locke could only stare
at Jarrow.

"Told you I wanted your schooner! He certainly is crazy! Most
absurd thing I ever heard of!"

"Mr. Peth, my mate, he's below now," said Jarrow.

"Then you are going?" asked Trask.

"Am I goin'?" retorted Jarrow. "No! I can't go on my own hook. I
thought you folks was goin'--that's what I'm here for."

"It's all a mistake," said Locke. "We had no intention of
misleading the old man."

"It will be a terrible disappointment to him," said Marjorie. "It's
a ghastly mistake if poor old Captain Dinshaw rea