“Quite a modest sum, certainly.”
“But, then, you know, Mr. Gingles, you are very rich, and there are a great number of persons to be paid out of it.”
“I see, I see; but how much do you intend to keep for yourself?” asked the old man, fumbling in his pockets.
“Me! my dear sir? I do not intend to keep a farthing. It is out of pure friendship for the poor young man that I do this.”
“How very kind of you. Well, captain, all I can say is, that if I give you this amount, I hope you will use it properly; for I must help young Redgill out of this difficulty. I have sworn it on my oath, and my oath must be fulfilled. How much was the sum you named?”
“£2,000.”
“Why, just now you said £1,500.”
“But I made a great mistake.”
“Never mind, never mind; £500 more or less isn’t much in a case of life or death.”
So saying, the old man pulled a large wallet of bank notes, and paid Captain Jack the large sum demanded.