“Remember,” said he, “what I told you to-day about the Wear Jack being an optical delusion.”
“Yes, and you seem to have been pretty right.”
“Oh, was I? Well, way back in my head I was thinking different, and I only know that now. I can’t explain my head piece, except by saying it goes by instinct. When I saw Jake the other day, he must have climbed right down into my mind and sat there ever since, explaining things without my knowing, otherwise I’m doubtful if I’d have been so keen on Tyrebuck letting me have the old Jack. Not that I mind risking my life, but there it is, I wouldn’t have been as keen and maybe wouldn’t have pushed the deal through. It’s the biggest deal I’ve ever made.”
“How’s that?”
“Why, Bud, can’t you see what’s wrong with the schooner?”
“No.”
“Jake! The schooner’s as sound as I am. She’s not as young as she used to be, but she’s one of the old navy that was built to wear. I’ve examined her. You remember my telling you that rats couldn’t beat humans in tricks? Well, it was just beginning to hit me then that maybe all that raffle and dirt on her deck and all the yarns I’d heard about her were put out by Jake.”
“Why?”
“Why, to keep his job. He don’t want her sold. She’s his job. Besides, he’s been collecting five dollars a time, and maybe more, from every mug of a buyer he’s given ‘a straight tip’ about her. That’s human nature. He wouldn’t have got a cent for praising her.”
“Good Lord! What a scoundrel! Why didn’t you tell him straight out instead of handing him that money?”