"I can."
"Well, it ain't for me to say, but if I were Charlie here I would close with your terms."
"Don't you believe him," said Peter, terrified. "He is only making a fool of you. He can't do what he says."
Charlie was not a little astonished at the turn affairs had taken.
"I shouldn't wonder," said Bill, "if there might be something in this, as long as the old man seems so afraid the secret will be let out."
"You will find that I have told you the truth," said Randall; "tell me quickly yes or no. If you decline, you will lose more than I shall."
"Then," said Charlie, "I will accept your terms so far as I am concerned."
"And I'll bear witness to it," said Bill, "if you will carry out your part of the agreement."
"That I will do to your satisfaction. The first thing to be explained is, that in carrying this boy to sea I was only acting as the agent of another."
"And that other!"