ith utter
recklessness; and I should not be surprised if he ended his life in the
almshouse. I will not ask any explanation of the conduct of Captain
Shivernock. Laud Cavendish is not a man of means. Did he tell you,
Donald, where he got his money to buy a boat worth three hundred and
fifty dollars?"

"He did, sir, and explained the matter so that I was satisfied; for I
would not sell him the Juno till he convinced me that there was no hitch
about the money."

"Well, where did he get it?"

"I don't feel at liberty to tell, sir; for he told me it was a great
secret, which did not affect him, but another person. I inquired into
the matter myself, and was satisfied it was all right."

"I am afraid you have been deceived, Don John; but I am convinced you
have done no wrong yourself--at least, not intentionally. Secrets are
dangerous; and when people wish you to conceal anything, you may
generally be sure there is something wrong somewhere, though it may look
all right to you. I have no more questions to ask to-night, Don John;
but I may wish to see you again in regard to this subject. I must see
Mr. Laud Cavendish next."

[Illustration: DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS. Page 225.]

Donald declared that he was ready to give all the information in his
power; and after a little chat with Nellie, he went home, with more on
his mind than had troubled him before, since he could remember.

CHAPTER XIII.

MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.

Donald felt that he was in hot water, in spite of the assurance of
Captain Patterdale that he believed him innocent of all wrong, and he
was sorry that he had made any bargains, conditional or otherwise, with
Captain Shivernock or Laud Cavendish. The nabob would not tell him what
was wrong, and he could not determine whether Laud or some other person
had stolen the money. He went into the house on his return from the
elegant mansion. His mother had gone to watch with a sick neighbor,
though his sister Barbara was sewing in the front room.

Donald was troubled, not by a guilty conscience, but by the fear that he
had innocently done wrong in concealing his relations with Captain
Shivernock and with Laud Cavendish. Somehow the case looked different
now from what it had before. Laud had told where he got his money, and
given a good reason, as it seemed to him at the time, for concealment;
but why the strange man desired secrecy he was utterly unable to
imagine. He almost wished he had told Captain