arrowed. "I've been wondering, Jim, if that wa'n't what
went to your head that night he had dinner up there,--seeing the
likeness, all of a sudden, to his mother."

He paused to give the Elder time to study the picture.

"Josiah, what on earth has all this nonsense to do with me? Just what
are you accusing me of?"

"Nothing yet. I'm coming to that part. I looked up that feller who was
with you over there, and I dragged your damned sin out of him. When it
comes right down to it, I hate like time to take away your chart and
compass this way, but you've been doing it to others for so long that I
cal'late it's coming to you. I'd have let the old lady tear out your
side-whiskers if it hadn't been for them children of yours. It was for
them that I asked you in here."

The Elder roused and made a pathetic effort to straighten his drooping
figure. "I think,--er,--Josiah, I see your game at last. You purpose to
frighten me with these wild tales from some old witch. I shall compel
you to offer proof, for all your insinuations, in court."

"Insinuations! Proof! Lord, Jim!" cried the Captain, aiming a powerful
finger in the direction of the Elder. "I've got proof enough to lock you
up in the London Towers, or wherever it was you let Adoniah suffer for
your infernal wickedness. Proof! Hell! You ain't that big a fool. Set
still and hear me. You never see the shores of Africa. It was in
Australia that you and Adoniah got in with that trader Rogers,--Emmie's
father,--and you was getting rich trading in opals. Then, the both of
you fell in love with Emmie, and Adoniah beat you out and married her.
It wa'n't long after that when Adoniah took down with a fever. God,
man! When I think what you done to him when he couldn't fight back, I
could kill you! You got trapped in a bad deal, and while Adoniah was
raving with a fever you took all the money there was and skipped. You
was careful to ship all the blame for your dirty work on Adoniah afore
you sneaked out a rich man."

"Pott, that is enough. There is not a court in all this country that
would believe your wild tale. Try it, and see how quickly they would
lock you up in a madhouse."

"They won't believe what I say?"

"I dare you to go into any court and try it. I'm too well known."

"Jim, don't toss me that old line, it's a mite too green and slimy to
look tasty."

"I'm through with this stuff and nonsense, sir!" shouted the Elder. He
started for the door.

"Well, I ain't th