Jasper smiled.
"No, you did not mention it, but I can quite believe it. Go on."
"Next morning, being rather pressed—I wanted to pay my own I O U's—I looked him up to collect his."
"And he put you off, and you want me to help you," said Jasper, smiling behind his white hand.
"No, I don't. I wish you'd hear me out," said the captain, not unnaturally aggrieved by the repeated interruption.
"I beg your pardon!" said Jasper. "I thought I should help to bring you to the point. But, there, tell it your own way."
"He didn't refuse; he gave me a bill," said the captain; "said he was sorry he couldn't manage the cash, but expecting me to call had got a bill ready."
"Which you naturally declined to accept from a perfect stranger," said Jasper.
"Which I did nothing of the sort," said the captain, coolly. "It was backed by Bellamy, and that was good enough for me. Bellamy's name written across the back, making himself responsible for the money, if the young fellow didn't pay."