"Don't you believe it," said Fenn, hotly. "Old Rodd is an unqualified liar. He sold it for five thousand dollars. That's what he did, the damn pirate!"
"How do you know, sir?"
"How do I know, know, know!" he repeated, excitedly. "I ought to know! I'm the fool that bought it!"
Without another word Fenn retired to his stateroom.
The next morning when Fenn arrived at his office in the Fenn Building, he called to one of his business associates, who, like his partner, was interested in the acquisition of rare and unusual books.
"I say, Ogden, I have something great to show you. Picked it up yesterday. In this package is the wickedest little book ever written!"
"Let me see it!" said Mr. Ogden, eagerly.
Fenn gingerly removed the paper in which it was wrapped, as he did not wish to injure the precious contents. He turned suddenly pale. Ogden glanced quickly at the title-page for fear he would be seen with the naughty little thing in his hands.
It was a very ordinary volume, entitled, "A Sermon on Covetousness, a Critical Exposition of the Tenth Commandment by the Rev. Charles Wesley."
"The devil!" exclaimed John Fenn.