The captain, with a gesture and a speaking countenance, called the adventurers into the cabin.
'Well,' he said to Herrick, when they were seated, 'there's one good job at least. He's taken to you in earnest.'
'Why should that be a good job?' said Herrick.
'Oh, you'll see how it pans out presently,' returned Davis. 'You go ashore and stand in with him, that's all! You'll get lots of pointers; you can find out what he has, and what the charter is, and who's the fourth man—for there's four of them, and we're only three.'
'And suppose I do, what next?' cried Herrick. 'Answer me that!'
'So I will, Robert Herrick,' said the captain. 'But first, let's see all clear. I guess you know,' he said with an imperious solemnity, 'I guess you know the bottom is out of this Farallone speculation? I guess you know it's right out? and if this old island hadn't been turned up right when it did, I guess you know where you and I and Huish would have been?'
'Yes, I know that,' said Herrick. 'No matter who's to blame, I know it. And what next?'
