"I think I can interest you for an hour, gentlemen," declared the bearded
one, as he slipped a key in the lock of the door.
He admitted them to a little room off the hallway, a room that contained
not much beyond a table and four chairs, a side-table and some of the
accessories of the smoker.
"Just take a seat here," proposed Curtis, "while I get some sarsaparilla
for you. I'll be right back in a moment."
It was four or five minutes before Curtis came back, bearing a tray on
which were three tall glasses, each containing a brownish liquid.
"The stuff isn't iced, yet it's fairly cold," the bearded one explained.
"Well, gentlemen, here's to a pleasant evening!"
Hal, who was thirsty, took a long swallow of the sarsaparilla, finding the
flavor excellent. Jack drank more slowly, though he enjoyed the beverage.
"If you don't mind," suggested Curtis, "I will light a cigar. And say, by
the way, gentlemen, what if we take a little walk down to my beach? Before
showing you the models I spoke of, I'd like to have your opinion of the
lines of my sloop."
"We'll go down and take a look with great pleasure," Jack Benson agreed,
rising.
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