So Mr. Bisse departed. He walked from the quay to the Common Stathe, and there, looking at the ships lying moored in the stream, he asked a waterman if by chance any of them belonged to Captain Crowle.
The man pointed to one. "Then," said Mr. Bisse, "take me to that ship."
Mr. Redman had been before him here as well. He climbed up the ladder and was about to step on the deck when the mate accosted him.
"What is your business, friend?" he asked.
Mr. Bisse replied as he had done in the counting-house.
"Well, sir," said the mate, "you can't come aboard here. Strangers are not allowed aboard this ship without an order from Captain Crowle or Mr. Redman."
So, Mr. Bisse had to go ashore again.
He found, I fear, the town of Lynn inhospitable. In fact, everybody was in favour of Molly, and the name of Lord Fylingdale stank. No one would speak to him. He wandered about waiting for a reply to his letter asking for further instructions in a disconsolate and crestfallen spirit, very different from the confident assurance which he had shown on his arrival.
His new instructions reached him in about ten days. Again he waited on Mr. Redman.
"Well, sir?" asked the latter. "You are come to direct me in matters of law?"