Thanks to my brother Death, I've lighted on a fortune.

It's a mint.

What's its bearings ?" "Haven't the least idea," I said.

"But you ought to know quite closely.
What were your last observations ?" He smiled inscrutably, but did not answer.
"Well, where's all hands ?" I asked.

"How does it come that you are alone ?" I was prepared for him again to set aside my question, and was surprised at the readiness of his reply.
"My brother got me inside forty-eight hours, and through no fault of mine.