"Go on," observed Judge Knowles, "ask it."
Kendrick stared at him. "Ask what?" he demanded.
"The question you had in mind. If I hadn't been a man with one foot in the grave you would have asked me if I considered the amount of money you had any of my damned business. Isn't that right?"
Sears hesitated. Then he grinned. "Just about," he said.
"I thought so. Well, in a way it is my business, because, if you have all the money you need, fifteen hundred a year for the next two or three years won't tempt you any. And I want to tempt you, Cap'n."
Again the captain was silent for an interval.
"Fifteen hundred a year?" he repeated, slowly.
"Yes."
"For what?"
"For services to be rendered. I've been looking for a man with time on his hands, who has been used to managing, who can be firm when it's necessary, has had enough experience of the world to judge people and things and who won't let a slick tongue get the better of him. And he must be honest. I think you fill the bill, Cap'n Kendrick."