It was quite an accidental meeting, you see; but, having met, what more natural than that they should take a stroll together.
They strolled down towards the harbour and hired a rowing boat.
‘Want a man?’ asked the boatman.
‘No, thanks,’ answered Mr. Marston. ‘I’ll row myself.’
Mr. Brooks sat in the stern of the boat. Mr. Marston took the sculls and rowed a little way out.
The sea was calm, and when they were some little distance from the shore, and the small craft moving about, Marston ceased rowing, let the boat float, and commenced to converse with his companion.
‘The box was sent off yesterday,’ he said; ‘so that it will be at the parcels office this afternoon. You had better apply for it at once.’
‘All right; let me thoroughly understand what I have to do.’
‘It’s as simple as A B C,’ answered Marston. ‘Preene has bought for me five hundred pounds worth of bar gold and sent it down here by rail to be kept till called for. All bullion comes in special safes, and this must come that way. When you apply for the box it will be locked up in the safe and the clerk must get the key. Watch where he gets the key from.’
‘Yes, that’s all easy enough. What else?’