“I'm afraid that I don't know the folks here very well, judging from my experiences trying to raise money,” stated Captain Mayo, after he had quieted Burkett. “But I'll go out and see what I can do.”
After some pleading he induced a fish wholesaler to go to the jail with him and inspect Burkett as a risk in the matter of bonds. Mr. Burkett, being a man of guile, controlled his wrath and offered a presentable guise of mildness.
“But how am I going to know that he won't be hunting this enemy up as soon as I give bonds?” asked the fishman.
“Captain Mayo is tackling a job of wrecking, offcoast,” said Burkett, “and I'm out of work just now and will go with him. I'll be a safe risk, all right, out there.”
“Does that go with you, Captain Mayo?”
“Yes, sir.”
After the matter of bonds had been arranged before the commissioner, and when Burkett walked down the street with Mayo, the latter stopped on a corner.
“I'll have to leave you here, Burkett. I'm going aboard the schooner. We're sailing.”
“But how about your taking me?”
“I was willing to help you lie that much, Burkett. I knew you did not intend to go with me.”