"Is it likely that two men should disappear and take the yacht's papers with them?" asked Smith.
The harbourmaster shook his head.
"Curious things happen at sea," he said. "Dirk Apeldoorn, the mate of the Hoorn, told me the yacht had all her sails set. The tiller was not lashed; her dingy was towing astern. She was pointing towards the land, first on one tack and then on the other. It was this strange thing that attracted his attention. But, Mynheer, why should the papers disappear? Without them who can tell who is the owner?"
"I have these," replied Smith, pulling out several documents relating to the transaction between Hamerton and himself.
"Heaven forbid that I should doubt you," exclaimed Van Wyk, "but duty is duty. I have the keys; I am authorized to receive the money due for salvage; but before I can allow you on board I must have a declaration on oath that you are in truth the owner, and a copy of the yacht's papers."
"But," expostulated Smith, "I am the owner, you know."
"It is easy to say so, Mynheer. I might say I am the Prince Consort, but without proof——?"
"This looks like a week's business," said Smith savagely, as the twain regained the cobbled street. "I suppose the old chap is within his rights. We'll have to write off to the Board of Trade for duplicates of the Certificate of Registry and the Declaration of Ownership."
"And make a sworn declaration before a lawyer that you are indeed Octavius V. Smith," added Stirling.
Two days later the owner of the Diomeda skipped out of the post office at Delfzyl, holding in triumph a blue envelope with the inscription "On His Majesty's Service". Ten seconds later his exultation was changed into deep disgust, for the Board of Trade authorities had asked for additional information. They had already heard that the yacht had been picked up practically intact. Her papers were known to be on board when she left Lowestoft; what explanation, they asked, had Mr. Smith to offer for their disappearance? Pending satisfactory evidence the Board declined to issue duplicate certificates.