CHAPTER I

A STRANGE CONSIGNMENT MR. AVERY, managing director of the Insular and Continental Steam Navigation Company, had just arrived at his office. He glanced at his inward letters, ran his eye over his list of engagements for the day, and inspected the return of the movements of his Company’s steamers. Then, after spending a few moments in thought, he called his chief clerk, Wilcox. “I see the _Bullfinch_ is in this morning from Rouen,” he said. “I take it she’ll have that consignment of wines for Norton and Banks?” “She …