"This is a fine boat, and if you will only give up the cargo, you will own her, for nobody will ever claim her," interrupted the passenger.
"I haven't said there was any cargo in her," added Bobtail. "You seem to know all about it. If you claim—"
"I don't claim anything," protested the captain, zealously.
"Then it's no use to say anything more about her. I'm not going to get myself into any scrape, and I won't make any trade of any kind."
"You are making a mistake, Bobtail. In my opinion, there's something about this business that don't appear on the face of it."
"That's just my idea."
"I don't know but you can make folks believe that you picked up this boat, but I don't think you can," added the captain, with his teeth set, and with difficulty keeping down his anger.
"It don't make any difference to me whether they believe it or not," replied Bobtail. "That's the truth."
"You'll find it will make a difference to you," said the captain, as he stepped upon the wharf.
"Didn't you go back to Squire Gilfilian's office, after you left the letter there?"