Hanson coughed nervously. He hedged.
"Well, now, you see—about that there cargo—"
You never saw three faces lose their smiles so suddenly. There was stony silence for a minute. Then Col. Brophy said in a deep voice, "Captain Hanson, there's nothing wrong in your estimate of the cargo's value, is there?"
"No, sir. I mean the estimate was right, but—"
IT was right here that young Lancelot Biggs interrupted.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," he said, "but I don't quite understand. Is it important that we land a cargo of clab and mekel?"
Captain Hanson whirled on him.
"Biggs!" he snapped sternly. Then he turned to old Prendergast Biggs. "Sir," he said, "I've delayed telling this as long as possible. But now I must tell you. This precious nephew of yours—"
The old man smiled fatuously.