"'A half-hour ago,' answered the man. 'Thurlton come with me—he's mindin' the boat. I come right ashore and walked straight here.'
"'How is everything?'
"'Couldn't be bettered,' declared Bagley. 'Sure, the coast is as quiet as an old maid's backyard.'
"'That fellow hasn't been making any more trouble, I hope?'
"'Not he, cap'n. Sure, he's a sick man. He'll know better than to be pokin' his nose in other people's business again, I warrant.'
"'Don't be too sure. I know that fellow by reputation. He's dangerous, whether he's got a cracked head or not. But let him look to himself if he interferes with me.'
"I tell you what, Ben, it made me think a bit the way he said that. I didn't feel a bit too comfortable myself. The man called Bagley laughed.
"'That's the talk, cap'n. But there's little chance of that fer a while, anyhow.'
"'Good. Now what about the tides?'
"'It's low water as near as you wants it at eleven o'clock to-morrow night.'