for your share, and will receive it."

"Captain Leigh, you are, I see, as your father was before you, a just
and upright Christian man: but, sir, this money is none of mine, for it
was won in no ship of mine.--Hear me, sir! And if it had been, and
that ship"--(he could not speak her name)--"lay safe and sound now by
Bideford quay, do you think, sir, that William Salterne is the man to
make money out of his daughter's sin and sorrow, and to handle the price
of blood? No, sir! You went like a gentleman to seek her, and like a
gentleman, as all the world knows, you have done your best, and I thank
you: but our account ends there. The treasure is yours, sir; I have
enough, and more than enough, and none, God help me, to leave it to, but
greedy and needy kin, who will be rather the worse than the better for
it. And if I have a claim in law for aught--which I know not, neither
shall ever ask--why, if you are not too proud, accept that claim as a
plain burgher's thank-offering to you, sir, for a great and a noble love
which you and your brother have shown to one who, though I say it, to my
shame, was not worthy thereof."

"She was worthy of that and more, sir. For if she sinned like a woman,
she died like a saint."

"Yes, sir!" answered the old man, with a proud smile; "she had the right
English blood in her, I doubt not; and showed it at the last. But now,
sir, no more of this. When you need a ship, mine is at your service;
till then, sir, farewell, and God be with you."

And the old man rose, and with an unmoved countenance, bowed Amyas
to the door. Amyas went back and told Cary, bidding him take half of
Salterne's gift: but Cary swore a great oath that he would have none of
it.

"Heir of Clovelly, Amyas, and want to rob you? I who have lost
nothing,--you who have lost a brother! God forbid that I should ever
touch a farthing beyond my original share!"

That evening a messenger from Bideford came running breathless up to
Burrough Court. The authorities wanted Amyas's immediate attendance, for
he was one of the last, it seemed, who had seen Mr. Salterne alive.

Salterne had gone over, as soon as Amyas departed, to an old
acquaintance; signed and sealed his will in their presence with a firm
and cheerful countenance, refusing all condolence; and then gone home,
and locked himself into Rose's room. Supper-time came, and he did not
appear. The apprentices could not make him answer, and at last called
in the neighbors, a