eet cannot be shown. 'T is not of ze record.
Ze Capitaine not 'fraid any more; he just play wiz you like ze cat wiz
ze mouse. He know Philip dead; he has ze proof, an' now he breaks ze
will, an' gets ze monies. Ze damn dog rich now; zen he be more rich."

"Do you know an executor of the will named Neale--P. B. Neale?"

"Oui, M'sieur."

"Who is he? What does he look like?"

"He vas a planter two mile west Carrollton. I see heem maybe ten days
ago--leetle short man wif bald head."

He poured out another drink of brandy, and, downing it, pushed back his
chair.

"By Gar, I talk too mooch, maybe," he said, yawning. "But eet make no
dif. Ze Capitaine he cop ze monies just ze same, an' eet better you
know. Now I turn in an' sleep."

He crossed the cabin to his stateroom, and closed the door.

CHAPTER XXIX

UNDER WAY

The negro brought the girl's lunch on a tray, and I took it in to her,
barely pausing long enough to speak a few encouraging words, for fear
of some interruption. Then I sat down and watched while the remnants
of our meal were being removed. Except for an occasional footstep on
the deck above, and the swift movements of the steward, nothing
interrupted my thoughts. After Louis had carried the last dishes into
his pantry, and run the table up on its stanchions, he also
disappeared, and in the silence I could hear the heavy breathing of the
sleeping mate. For the first time I comprehended clearly the entire
situation, and I could face it with understanding. Broussard's anger
had served me well, and it never occurred to me to doubt this story,
told under the inspiration of liquor. It dovetailed in with all I
previously knew.

The facts were clear. Philip Henley was dead, killed while
intoxicated, either accidentally, or for purposes of robbery. And he
had been robbed when picked up by the police, nothing to identify him
being found. Beyond doubt this half-breed brother had dispatched a man
North to look him up--possibly to assassinate him if necessary. The
fellow had either done the job, or been anticipated in his purpose. In
either case he was present to identify the body, and had written at
once, enclosing the signet ring as proof. That was the same ring we
had round in the arbor, and which Viola had instantly recognized. And
those men who had made a tool of me were the robbers. They had found
papers and letters which opened before them this scheme of fraud; then,
with his