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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
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