After which they all went ashore and passed the time until dinner in various ways.

And at a little before two Steve, Joe and Wink once more climbed the narrow stairway to Lawyer Hyatt's office.
"I have here," said Mr.Hyatt, when they had seated themselves and greetings had been exchanged and the weather duly and thoroughly disposed of, "a telegram from Barrows and Leland, of Norfolk, Virginia, agents for the owners of the schooner _Catspaw_.

In it they make an offer of settlement of your claim, subject, of course, to the facts and conditions being as stated in my telegram to them." He paused impressively and the boys shuffled their feet in silent expectancy.
"Hm.

Now I'm not going to advise you to accept their offer and I'm not going to advise you not to," he rumbled.

"Only, I do say this, gentlemen.