“Well,” inquired the stranger, at last, and speaking more pleasantly, “are you satisfied with my appearance?”
“I’ll admit being curious to know what your business with me can be,” Halstead replied.
“You read my note through?”
“Yes, of course. But that did not tell me your business, or your name,” Tom answered.
“Oh, I can tell you all about my business with you, in a few minutes,” the other assured the young skipper.
“And your name, too?”
“Why are you so particular about my name?”
“Why, you see,” smiled Captain Tom, “down in our little country town, the place where I was raised, we always rather wondered at any man who seemed ashamed or reluctant to give his name.”
“Oh, I see,” laughed the other. “And, on the whole, captain, I think your point is rather well taken. So, to begin with, my name is Calvin Rexford. Now, as to my business, you are willing to make a little money now, and a great deal more later on, are you not?”