"You will excuse what has seemed to be my hurry in getting you over
here, sir, but I take it that your sailing into this port just now
coincides with the arrival of the Vose crowd in this city to-day."
Mr. Fletcher Fogg first, and now Mr. Fogg's employer, had given advance
information which anticipated Mayo's knowledge. The young man had been
having some special training in dissimulation, and he did not betray any
surprise. He bowed.
"It's better for you to talk with me before you allow them to make a
fool of you. I am prepared to take that steamer off your hands, as
she stands, at a fair appraisal, and I will give bonds to assume all
expenses of the suit brought by the underwriters."
"There has been no suit brought by the underwriters."
Mr. Marston raised his eyebrows. "Oh! I must remember that you are
considerably out of the world. The underwriters make claim that the
vessel was not legally surrendered by them. Have you documents showing
release? If so, I'll be willing to pay you about double what otherwise I
shall feel like offering. Take a disputed title in an admiralty case and
it's touchy business."
Mayo remembered the haphazard manner in which the steamer had been
transferred, and he did not reply.
Marston's manner was that of calm, collected, cool business; his air
carried weight. More than ever did Mayo feel his own pitiful weakness in
these big affairs where more than honest hard work counted in the final
adjustment.
"How much did you pay your big lawyers to stir up this suit by the
underwriters?" he blurted, and Marston's eyelids flicked, in spite of
his impassivity. There was instinct of the animal at bay, rather than
any knowledge, behind Mayo's question.
"Why should you suggest that I have anything to do with such a suit?"
"You seem almighty ready to assume all liability."
"I'm not here to have childish disputes with you, sir. This is straight
business."
"Very well. What do you want?"
"Have you documents, as I have suggested?"
"I have my bill of sale. I take it for granted that the folks who sold
to me are backed by papers from the underwriters."
"That's where you are in error, unfortunately. You are all made party to
a suit. Time clause, actual abandonment, right of redemption--all
those matters are concerned. Of course, it means injunction and long
litigation. I suggested assuming liabilities and stepping in, because I
am backed by the best admiralty lawyers in New York. I repeat the offer
Mr. Fogg made to you."