[Illustration: "'Get out of my house,' he roared.]

"I'm sorry to have intruded," said Hardy, as he crossed the room and
paused at the door; "it is none of my business, of course. I thought
that I saw an opportunity of doing your son a good turn--he is a friend
of mine--and at the same time paying off old scores against Kybird and
Nathan Smith. I thought that on that account it might suit you. Good
afternoon."

He walked out into the hall, and reaching the front door fumbled clumsily
with the catch. The captain watching his efforts in grim silence began
to experience the twin promptings of curiosity and temptation.

"What is this wonderful plan of yours?" he demanded, with a sneer.

"Just at present that must remain a secret," said the other. He came
from the door and, unbidden, followed the captain into the room again.

"What do you want to visit at my house for?" inquired the latter, in a
forbidding voice.

"To see your daughter," said Hardy.

The captain had a relapse. He had not expected a truthful answer,
and, when it came, in the most matter-of-fact tone, it found him quite
unprepared. His first idea was to sacrifice his dignity and forcibly
eject his visitor, but more sensible thoughts prevailed.

"You are quite sure, I suppose, that your visits would be agreeable to my
daughter?" he said, contemptuously.

Hardy shook his head. "I should come ostensibly to see you," he said,
cheerfully; "to smoke a pipe with you."

"Smoke!" stuttered the captain, explosively; "smoke a pipe with ME?"

"Why not?" said the other. "I am offering you my services, and
anything that is worth having is worth paying for. I suppose we could
both smoke pipes under pleasanter conditions. What have you got against
me? It isn't my fault that you and my father have quarrelled."

"I don't want anything more to say to you," said the captain, sternly.
"I've shown you the door once. Am I to take forcible measures?"

Hardy shrugged his broad shoulders. "I am sorry," he said, moving to the
door again.

"So am I," said the other.

"It's a pity," said Hardy, regretfully. "It's the chance of a lifetime.
I had set my heart on fooling Kybird and Smith, and now all my trouble is
wasted. Nathan Smith would be all the better for a fall."

The captain hesitated. His visitor seemed to be confident, and he would
have given a great deal to prevent his son's marriage and a great deal to
repay some portion of his debt to the i