"It's the chance of a lifetime.
I had set my heart on fooling Kybird and Smith, and now all my trouble is wasted.

Nathan Smith would be all the better for a fall." The captain hesitated.

His visitor seemed to be confident, and he would have given a great deal to prevent his son's marriage and a great deal to repay some portion of his debt to the ingenious Mr.Smith.

Moreover, there seemed to be an excellent opportunity of punishing the presumption of his visitor by taking him at his word.
"I don't think you'd enjoy your smoking here much," he said, curtly.
"I'll take my chance of that," said the other.

"It will only be a matter of a few weeks, and then, if I am unsuccessful, my visits cease." "And if you're successful, am I to have the pleasure of your company for the rest of my life ?" demanded the captain.
"That will be for you to decide," was the reply.