“Well,” said McMunn, “there’s no that much left to settle. The Brothers is ready.”
“The Brothers?”
“The McMunn Brothers. Thon’s the model of her on the chimneypiece.”
Lord Dunseverick looked at the model attentively. It represented a very unattractive ship. Her bow was absurdly high, cocked up like the snout of a Yorkshire pig. Her long waist lay low, promising little freeboard in a sea. Her engines and single funnel were aft. On a short, high quarterdeck was her bridge and a squat deck-house. She was designed, like her owner, for purely business purposes.
“You’ll have the captain’s cabin,” said McMunn. “Him and me will sleep in the saloon.”
“Oh, you’re coming too?”
“I am. Have you any objection?”
“None whatever. I’m delighted. We’ll have a jolly time.”
“I’ll have you remember,” said McMunn, “that it’s not pleasuring we’re out for.”
“It’s serious business. Smuggling rifles in the teeth of a Royal Proclamation is——”