Parson Spettigew carried the paper to the doorway. He read its contents aloud, and slowly:
To Mr. Bill Adams,
Capt. of the Fore-top, H.M.S. Vesuvius.
Sir,—It was a dummy Capt. Crang buried. We cast the late E. Tonkin overboard the second night in lat. 46/30, long. 7/15, or thereabouts. By which time the feeling aboard had cooled down and it seemed a waste of good spirit. The rum you paid for is good rum. Hoping that you and Mr. Jope will find a use for it,
Your obedient servant, S. Wilkins.
There was a long pause, through which Mr. Adams could be heard breathing hard.
"But what are we to do with it?" asked Mr. Jope, scratching his head in perplexity.
"Drink it. Wot else?"
"But where?"
"Oh," said Mr. Adams, "anywhere!"