"He's the only person that's been aboard her in years." "There was someone else," persisted Heinrich.

"Someone who was talking to Abernethy." The tall man mumbled something about having been a fool not to buy her before this; Cleggett did not catch all of the remark.

Then the tall fellow said: "We'll go aboard, Heinrich, and take a look around." With that they advanced towards the vessel.

Cleggett stepped on deck from the cabin companionway, and both men stopped short at the sight of him, Heinrich obviously a trifle confused, but the other one in no wise abashed.

He made no attempt, this tall fellow, to give the situation a casual turn.