“Because he is a man in whose business judgment I have great faith. And he's an honest man.”
“And you think Captain Danvers is not?”
“Not at all. But I do think that Captain Danvers attaches an exaggerated value to the prospects of the new trading company. He's very young, you see, Nell, and takes too rosy a view of everything. And I'd rather die in poverty than be the indirect means of making money at the expense of other people. I'm old-fashioned Nell, and when I die, I want to die with the knowledge that I have left a clean sheet behind me.”
Nell Brabant rose with an angry light in her eyes. “I hate talking about money and such horrid things. But I do hope you will come to terms with Captain Danvers and his company.”
“Wait a moment, Nell. I want to tell you something which I think will please you. Would you like a trip to Sydney?”
“Very much indeed,” she answered, with sudden graciousness.
“Well, I'm thinking of sending the Maritana there, to be docked and to be overhauled, with Lester in command. Then whilst you are away I shall charter the Loelia, cutter, and make a trip through the Line Islands. You will have at least two months in Sydney, and Lester will take good care of you on the voyage.”
“It will be a nice change for me, Jack? But why cannot you come?”
“I must make this cruise through the Line Islands before I decide to sell out to Danvers's company.”
That evening Brabant announced his plans to his chief officer, and a week later both the Maritana and the Loelia were ready for sea. During this time Captain Danvers was an occasional visitor to the bungalow on the hill, but he and Brabant met very frequently in the town to discuss business together, and it soon became known that the latter either intended to sell out to, or amalgamate with, the Danvers company.