From the windows of the bright, breeze-swept office the boys could look far out to sea, and it was possible that the faintly nautical atmosphere that appertained both to the office and its occupant was due to the sight and smell of the salt water.

While Steve told his story the lawyer's expression slowly changed from jovial amusement to surprise, and when the narrative was ended he drew himself ponderously from the chair and rolled to a window.
"You say you've got her tied up to Sawyer's Wharf, eh ?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." "I want to know! Well! Well! Where'd you say you came across her ?" Steve told him again.

"And you brought her in yourself, eh ?" "The lot of us did.

Now what we want to know is what claim have we got against the owners, Mr.Hyatt ?" The lawyer heaved himself back to his chair and lowered himself into it with what the boys thought was a most reckless disregard of the article's capacity and strength.

But the chair only creaked dismally.
"Of course you do! Of course you do!" he rumbled smilingly.