Marston looked at Wyndham, who nodded. "It's all right, Bob; I'm going to sell." Then he turned to Elliot and stated a sum.
"A moderate price!" the other remarked. "I'll admit it's less than I thought. Is she sound?"
"She is not," Wyndham replied. "Port side's weak where the strain of the rigging comes; she needs some new timbers. The covering board ought to be relaid all round. Keel's shaky aft; the deadwood ought to be lifted——"
He indicated the repairs he thought necessary and Elliot looked at him with surprise.
"Since you want to sell, aren't you taking a rather unusual line?"
Wyndham smiled. "I allowed for defects when I fixed the price. The carpenter's job will be expensive, but if it's properly done, the boat will afterwards be nearly as good as new. I think you can rely on this."
Marston gave his partner a puzzled glance and Elliot said, "After your frankness, I'll buy her and take my chance."
"I imagine it's a safe investment," Wyndham rejoined.
For a few moments Elliot was quiet and then he fixed his eyes on Wyndham and said in a thoughtful voice, "Red Rose is fast and you sailed her cleverly. All the same, I never understood how you beat us when you won the Commodore's cup."
"I imagine I went the wrong side of the Knoll buoy," Wyndham answered coolly. "Perhaps this gave us some advantage, because the tide runs longer near the coast."