“I hope your bill won’t be unreasonable,” said Gates.

“Not at all. We shall not ask more than you have.”

“Thank you; you are very considerate.”

“We’ll begin with you, then,” said the captain, addressing Gates.

“Oh, I’m a poor devil. I haven’t much.”

“Produce what you have.”

Gates took out his purse, which proved to contain a hundred and fifty dollars in gold.

“Is that all?”

“Every cent.”

“Search him.”