“I hope so,” said Danvers genially, as he raised his glass of brandy-and-soda and nodded “good luck” to his host.
“I was thinking, Danvers,” said Brabant, as he laid down unopened the rest of his letters, “that it would be just as well if you came round with me in the Loelia and saw my stations in the New Hebrides. It would facilitate matters a good deal, and the cutter is all ready for sea. In anticipation of your coming I have fitted up your quarters on board.”
“Delighted, my dear fellow. When do you propose sailing?”
“As soon as ever you like.”
“To-morrow, then. I'm anxious to get this matter pulled through. As you will see by your letters from my people, they are prepared to pay ten thousand down at once, and fifteen thousand in three bills, at one, two, and three years.”
“That is all right. Shall you be ready tomorrow, then?”
“Quite.”
After Danvers had gone to his hotel Brabant went on board the Loelia, and he and Pedro Diaz again talked together.
At nine o'clock next morning the cutter Loelia weighed anchor, and made sail for “a cruise among the New Hebrides. With Captain Brabant” (so said the tiny weekly newspaper published in Levuka) “was Captain Harold Danvers, who is making a tour of inspection of the captain's properties before taking possession of them on behalf of the new Trading Company.”