"Well, he's no good to me; gut me if he is!"
"You will take both or none," said my great-uncle in the voice like a dripping icicle which he knew so well how to assume.
"Nasty, are ye?" rasped Flint. "Blast ye for a ——"
A light in Murray's tawny eyes kindled like a flame under the reflection of the battle-lanthorns which were hung from the lower spars.
"Two it is," Flint ended hastily. "But ye'll never see either one o' 'em if ye don't make good on your bargain. I ha' supported much from ye, Murray, but ——"
"You'll support more for sufficient gold," rebuked my great-uncle. "Tut, man, I read you like a book. When we first encountered you were proud to be mate of a trading-brig. I have put you in the way to rank and fortune, if you know how to exploit your opportunities."
"Rank and opportunities!" jeered Flint with an ugly laugh. "Aye, ye took me when I was an honest young man and made a pirate o' me. And the only opportunity I'll win through you will be to kick the air in Execution Dock."
My great-uncle helped himself to snuff, tapping his box as Flint talked.
"Hark ye," he broke in when the Walrus' captain had got so far, "I am pressed for time. I have but two things to say to you. Guard well and cherish carefully these two persons I commit to you, and in two months I'll hand over to you three hundred and fifty thousand pounds."
"You said seven hundred thousand," snapped Flint.