Part 6 (2/2)

”You leave that to me.”

”Very good, Mr. Holm.”

When Bramsen was gone, Holm strode up and down the office deep in thought.

”I wonder, now, if we couldn't manage to nail old Hermansen there.

H'm. It's risky, but I must have a try at it all the same.”

He put on his hat, and continued his sentry-go up and down, with his thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat. Already he saw in his mind's eye the Spaniard hauled up to the repair shops, and plate after plate taken out of her bottom, till only the superstructure remained. And finally, he himself, as representative of the concern, would go up to the bank and present a bill for the repairs--a bill running into three--four--five figures!

He fairly tingled at the thought of that bill. Seven-sixteenth-inch plates, re-riveting, frame-pieces and all the various items Lloyds could hit upon as needful.

It was no easy matter to work out a plan of operations on the spur of the moment. But there was no time to be lost. It was Wednesday already, and the s.h.i.+p was to be put up for auction on the Friday.

First of all, he must go on board himself, openly, as a prospective buyer. This, he knew, would be at once reported to Hermansen, who would have his intelligence department at work.

On Thursday afternoon, then, Holm boarded the Spaniard accordingly, and went over the vessel thoroughly in the hope that Hermansen would get a report that he, Holm, was keenly interested.

Early Friday morning he went down again, and was climbing up the ladder on the port side, but on glancing over the bulwarks he perceived the clean-shaven face of the banker, who was just coming on board from the opposite side.

Holm's first impulse was to bundle off again quickly, but in stepping down, he managed to tread on Bramsen's fingers, eliciting a howl which brought the whole crew hurrying along to see what was the matter. There was nothing for it now but to go on board, which he did, nodding in the friendliest fas.h.i.+on to Hermansen as he came up.

”We're compet.i.tors, then, it seems,” said the banker politely.

”I think not,” said Holm seriously. ”She's very badly built, and I don't feel like going in for it myself.”

”Yes? I dare say,” answered the banker, with a sidelong glance at Holm, who appeared to be scrutinising the upper rigging.

”The fore and aft bulkheads are shaky too,” said Holm, well knowing that these were as good as could be. Indeed, had the rest been up to the same standard, the vessel would have been worth buying.

Hermansen walked forward, and Holm went aft. On completing the round, they came face to face once more.

”Bottom's not up to much, from what I hear,” remarked Holm casually, as he climbed over the rail on his way down.

”Very possible--very possible.” There was a slight vibration in the banker's voice as he spoke, and Holm judged that things were going to be as he wished.

The auction was fixed for one o'clock, and Holm was there punctually to the moment. Hermansen was nowhere to be seen. ”Funny,” thought Holm to himself. ”I hope to goodness he hasn't smelt a rat.”

The conditions of sale were read; the bidding to be understood as in agreement therewith.

At last the banker appeared, and sat down un.o.btrusively in a corner.

His presence always made itself felt in any gathering, as imparting a certain solemnity to the occasion. Holm, who had been chatting gaily with the magistrate and Advocate Schneider, sat down quietly.

”Well, gentlemen, to business. The frigate, _Don Almariva_, is offered for sale to the highest bidder, subject to the conditions just read. What offers?”

”2000,” said Holm. A long pause followed.

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