settled himself in the
one hard chair; and the man, though thoroughly primed for revolt, obeyed
the old habit, and stood outside.

"Once more you have misled me, Cadman, and abused my confidence. More
than that, you have made me a common laughing-stock for scores of fools,
and even for a learned gentleman, magistrate of divinity. I was not
content with your information until you confirmed it by letters you
produced from men well known to you, as you said, and even from
the inland trader who had contracted for the venture. The schooner
Elizabeth, of Goole, disguised as a collier, was to bring to, with Robin
Lyth on board of her, and the goods in her hold under covering of coal,
and to run the goods at the South Flamborough landing this very night. I
have searched the Elizabeth from stem to stern, and the craft brought
up alongside of her; and all I have found is a wretched Frenchman, who
skulked so that I made sure of him, and not a blessed anker of foreign
brandy, nor even a forty-pound bag of tea. You had that packet of
letters in your neck-tie. Hand them to me this moment--"

"If your Honor has made up your mind to think that a sailor of the Royal
Navy--"

"Cadman, none of that! No lick-spittle lies to me; those letters, that
I may establish them! You shall have them back, if they are right. And I
will pay you a half crown for the loan."

"If I was to leave they letters in your hand, I could never hold head up
in Burlington no more."

"That is no concern of mine. Your duty is to hold up your head with me,
and those who find you in bread and butter."

"Precious little butter I ever gets, and very little bread to speak of.
The folk that does the work gets nothing. Them that does nothing gets
the name and game."

"Fellow, no reasoning, but obey me!" Carroway shouted, with his temper
rising. "Hand over those letters, or you leave the service."

"How can I give away another man's property?" As he said these words,
the man folded his arms, as who should say, "That is all you get out of
me."

"Is that the way you speak to your commanding officer? Who owns those
letters, then, according to your ideas?"

"Butcher Hewson; and he says that you shall have them as soon as he sees
the money for his little bill."

This was a trifle too much for Carroway. Up he jumped with surprising
speed, took one stride through the station door, and seizing Cadman by
the collar, shook him, wrung his ear with the left hand, which was