"Very well," said Mr. Sparhawk. "Quite well. It was a pleasure, and a surprise."
"Whitaker was there," said Anthony, "and he spoke of several losses Rufus Stevens' Sons had had at sea."
"He did," said Mr. Sparhawk. "I think I could name the very ships."
"They were the Sea Mew and Two Brothers."
"Right," said Mr. Sparhawk. "Stout, able vessels; well found and competently mastered."
"They were lost, I hear, within a few months of each other," said Anthony.
"Let us say three," said Mr. Sparhawk. "It was less, I think, but, to be quite sure, we'll put it at three."
"And the loss of each was noted at the time as singular, I believe?" said Anthony.
"Unusual," said Mr. Sparhawk. "Quite unusual."
"During these past months," said Anthony, "I have been going into the books of the house for some years back."