AT SUNWICH PORT BY W. W. JACOBS Part 4. ILLUSTRATIONS From Drawings by Will Owen CHAPTER XVI The two ladies received Mr. Hardy's information with something akin toconsternation, the idea of the autocrat of Equator Lodge as a stowaway onboard the ship of his ancient enemy proving too serious for ordinarycomment. Mrs. Kingdom's usual expressions of surprise, "Well, I neverdid!" and "Good gracious alive!" died on her lips, and she sat gazinghelpless and round-eyed at her niece. "I wonder what he said, " she gasped, at last. Miss Nugent, who was trying to imagine her father in his new role aboardthe Conqueror, paid no heed. It was not a pleasant idea, and her eyesflashed with temper as she thought of it. Sooner or later the wholeaffair would be public property. "I had an idea all along that he wasn't in London, " murmured Mrs. Kingdom. "Fancy that Nathan Smith standing in Sam's room telling usfalsehoods like that! He never even blushed. " "But you said that you kept picturing father walking about the streets ofLondon, wrestling with his pride and trying to make up his mind to comehome again, " said her niece, maliciously. Mrs. Kingdom fidgeted, but before she could think of a satisfactory replyBella came to the door and asked to speak to her for a moment. Profitingby her absence, Mr. Hardy leaned towards Miss Nugent, and in a low voiceexpressed his sorrow at the mishap to her father and his firm convictionthat everything that could be thought of for that unfortunate mariner'scomfort would be done. "Our fathers will probably come back goodfriends, " he concluded. "There is nothing would give me more pleasurethan that, and I think that we had better begin and set them a goodexample. " "It is no good setting an example to people who are hundreds of milesaway, " said the matter-of-fact Miss Nugent. "Besides, if they have madefriends, they don't want an example set them. " "But in that case they have set us an example which we ought to follow, "urged Hardy. Miss Nugent raised her eyes to his. "Why do you wish to be on friendlyterms?" she asked, with disconcerting composure. [Illustration: "'Why do you wish to be on friendly terms?' she asked. "] "I should like to know your father, " returned Hardy, with perfectgravity; "and Mrs. Kingdom--and you. " He eyed her steadily as he spoke, and Miss Nugent, despite her utmostefforts, realized with some indignation that a faint tinge of colour wascreeping into her cheeks. She remembered his covert challenge at theirlast interview at Mr. Wilks's, and the necessity of reading thispersistent young man a stern lesson came to her with all the force of apublic duty. "Why?" she inquired, softly, as she lowered her eyes and assumed apensive expression. "I admire him, for one thing, as a fine seaman, " said Hardy. "Yes, " said Miss Nugent, "and--" "And I've always had a great liking for Mrs. Kingdom, " he continued; "shewas very good-natured to me when I was a very small boy, I remember. Sheis very kind and amiable. " The baffled Miss Nugent stole a glance at him. "And--" she said again, very softly. "And very motherly, " said Hardy, without moving a muscle. Miss Nugent pondered and stole another glance at him. The expression ofhis face was ingenuous, not to say simple. She resolved to risk it. Sofar he had always won in their brief encounters, and monotony was alwaysdistasteful to her, especially monotony of that kind. "And what about me?" she said, with a friendly smile. "You, " said Hardy, with a gravity of voice belied by the amusement in hiseye; "you are the daughter of the fine seaman and the niece of thegood-natured and motherly Mrs. Kingdom. " Miss Nugent looked down again hastily, and all the shrew within herclamoured for vengeance. It was the same masterful Jem Hardy that hadforced his way into their seat at church as a boy. If he went on inthis way he would become unbearable; she resolved, at the cost of muchpersonal inconvenience, to give him a much-needed fall. But she realizedquite clearly that it would be a matter of time. "Of course, you and Jack are already good friends?" she said, softly. "Very, " assented Hardy. "Such good friends that I have been devoting alot of time lately to considering ways and means of getting him out ofthe snares of the Kybirds. " "I should have thought that that was his affair, " said Miss Nugent, haughtily. "Mine, too, " said Hardy. "I don't want him to marry Miss Kybird. " For the first time since the engagement Miss Nugent almost approved ofit. "Why not let him know your wishes?" she said, gently. "Surely thatwould be sufficient. " "But you don't want them to marry?" said Hardy, ignoring the remark. "I don't want my brother to do anything shabby, " replied the girl; "but Ishouldn't be sorry, of course, if they did not. " "Very good, " said Hardy. "Armed with your consent I shall leave no stoneunturned. Nugent was let in for this, and I am going to get him out if Ican. All's fair in love and war. You don't mind my doing anythingshabby?" "Not in the least, " replied Miss Nugent, promptly. The reappearance of Mrs. Kingdom at this moment saved Mr. Hardy thenecessity of a reply. Conversation reverted to the missing captain, and Hardy and Mrs. Kingdomtogether drew such a picture of the two captains fraternizing that MissNugent felt that the millennium itself could have no surprises for her. "He has improved very much, " said Mrs. Kingdom, after the door had closedbehind their visitor; "so thoughtful. " "He's thoughtful enough, " agreed her niece. "He is what I call extremely considerate, " pursued the elder lady, "butI'm afraid he is weak; anybody could turn him round their little finger. " "I believe they could, " said Miss Nugent, gazing at her with admiration, "if he wanted to be turned. " The ice thus broken, Mr. Hardy spent the following day or two in devisingplausible reasons for another visit. He found one in the person of Mr. Wilks, who, having been unsuccessful in finding his beloved master at asmall tavern down by the London docks, had returned to Sunwich, by nomeans benefited by his change of air, to learn the terrible truth as tohis disappearance from Hardy. "I wish they'd Shanghaid me instead, " he said to that sympatheticlistener, "or Mrs. Silk. " "Eh?" said the other, staring. "Wot'll be the end of it I don't know, " said Mr. Wilks, laying a hand, which still trembled, on the other' knee. "It's got about that she savedmy life by 'er careful nussing, and the way she shakes 'er 'ead at me forrisking my valuable life, as she calls it, going up to London, gives methe shivers. " "Nonsense, " said Hardy; "she can't marry you against your will. Just bedistantly civil to her. " "'Ow can you be distantly civil when she lives just opposite?" inquiredthe steward, querulously. "She sent Teddy over at ten o'clock last nightto rub my chest with a bottle o' liniment, and it's no good me saying I'mall right when she's been spending eighteen-pence o' good money over thestuff. " "She can't marry you unless you ask her, " said the comforter. Mr. Wilks shook his head. "People in the alley are beginning to talk, "he said, dolefully. "Just as I came in this afternoon old George Leescrewed up one eye at two or three women wot was gossiping near, and whenI asked 'im wot 'e'd got to wink about he said that a bit o' wedding-cake'ad blowed in his eye as I passed. It sent them silly creeturs into fitsa'most. " [Illustration: "He said that a bit o' wedding-cake 'ad blowed in hiseye. "] "They'll soon get tired of it, " said Hardy. Mr. Wilks, still gloomy, ventured to doubt it, but cheered up and becamealmost bright when his visitor announced his intention of trying tosmooth over matters for him at Equator Lodge. He became quite voluble inhis defence, and attached much importance to the fact that he had nursedMiss Nugent when she was in long clothes and had taught her to whistlelike an angel at the age of five. "I've felt being cut adrift by her more than anything, " he said, brokenly. "Nine-an'-twenty years I sailed with the cap'n and served 'imfaithful, and this is my reward. " Hardy pleaded his case next day. Miss Nugent was alone when he called, and, moved by the vivid picture he drew of the old man's loneliness, accorded her full forgiveness, and decided to pay him a visit at once. The fact that Hardy had not been in the house five minutes she appearedto have overlooked. "I'll go upstairs and put my hat and jacket on and go now, " she said, brightly. "That's very kind of you, " said Hardy. His voice expressed admiringgratitude; but he made no sign of leaving his seat. "You don't mind?" said Miss Nugent, pausing in front of him and slightlyextending her hand. "Not in the least, " was the reply; "but I want to see Wilks myself. Perhaps you'll let me walk down with you?" The request was so unexpected that the girl had no refusal ready. Shehesitated and was lost. Finally, she expressed a fear that she mightkeep him waiting too long while she got ready--a fear which he politelydeclined to consider. "Well, we'll see, " said the marvelling Miss Nugent to herself as she wentslowly upstairs. "He's got impudence enough for forty. " She commenced her preparations for seeing Mr. Wilks by wrapping a shawlround her shoulders and reclining in an easy-chair with a novel. It wasa good story, but the room was very cold, and even the pleasure ofsnubbing an intrusive young man did not make amends for the lack ofwarmth. She read and shivered for an hour, and then with chilled fingerslit the gas and proceeded to array herself for the journey. Her temper was not improved by seeing Mr. Hardy sitting in the dark overa good fire when she got downstairs. "I'm afraid I've kept you waiting, " she said, crisply. "Not at all, " said Hardy. "I've been very comfortable. " Miss Nugent repressed a shiver and, crossing to the fire, thoughtlesslyextended her fingers over the blaze. "I'm afraid you're cold, " said Hardy. The girl looked round sharply. His face, or as much of it as she couldsee in the firelight, bore a look of honest concern somewhat at variancewith the quality of his voice. If it had not been for the absurdity ofaltering her plans on his account she would have postponed her visit tothe steward until another day. The walk to Fullalove Alley was all too short for Jem Hardy. Miss Nugentstepped along with the air of a martyr anxious to get to the stake andhave it over, and she answered in monosyllables when her companionpointed out the beauties of the night. A bitter east wind blew up the road and set her yearning for the joys ofMr. Wilks's best room. "It's very cold, " she said, shivering. Hardy assented, and reluctantly quickened his pace to keep step withhers. Miss Nugent with her chin sunk in a fur boa looked neither to theright nor the left, and turning briskly into the alley, turned the handleof Mr. Wilks's door and walked in, leaving her companion to follow. The steward, who was smoking a long pipe over the fire, looked round inalarm. Then his expression changed, and he rose and stammered out awelcome. Two minutes later Miss Nugent, enthroned in the best chair withher toes on the fender, gave her faithful subject a free pardon and fullpermission to make hot coffee. "And don't you ever try and deceive me again, Sam, " she said, as shesipped the comforting beverage. "No, miss, " said the steward, humbly. "I've 'ad a lesson. I'll nevertry and Shanghai anybody else agin as long as I live. " After this virtuous sentiment he sat and smoked placidly, with occasionalcurious glances divided between his two visitors. An idle and ridiculousidea, which occurred to him in connection with them, was dismissed atonce as too preposterous for a sensible steward to entertain. "Mrs. Kingdom well?" he inquired. "Quite well, " said the girl. "If you take me home, Sam, you shall seeher, and be forgiven by her, too. " "Thankee, miss, " said the gratified steward. "And what about your foot, Wilks?" said Hardy, somewhat taken aback bythis arrangement. "Foot, sir?" said the unconscious Mr. Wilks; "wot foot?" "Why, the bad one, " said Hardy, with a significant glance. "Ho, that one?" said Mr. Wilks, beating time and waiting furtherrevelations. "Do you think you ought to use it much?" inquired Hardy. Mr. Wilks looked at it, or, to be more exact, looked at both of them, andsmiled weakly. His previous idea recurred to him with renewed force now, and several things in the young man's behaviour, hitherto disregarded, became suddenly charged with significance. Miss Nugent looked on with anair of cynical interest. "Better not run any risk, " said Hardy, gravely. "I shall be very pleasedto see Miss Nugent home, if she will allow me. " "What is the matter with it?" inquired Miss Nugent, looking him full inthe face. Hardy hesitated. Diplomacy, he told himself, was one thing; lyinganother. He passed the question on to the rather badly used Mr. Wilks. "Matter with it?" repeated that gentleman, glaring at him reproachfully. "It's got shootin' pains right up it. I suppose it was walking miles andmiles every day in London, looking for the cap'n, was too much for it. " "Is it too bad for you to take me home, Sam?" inquired Miss Nugent, softly. The perturbed Mr. Wilks looked from one to the other. As a sportsman hissympathies were with Hardy, but his duty lay with the girl. "I'll do my best, miss, " he said; and got up and limped, very well indeedfor a first attempt, round the room. Then Miss Nugent did a thing which was a puzzle to herself for some timeafterwards. Having won the victory she deliberately threw away thefruits of it, and declining to allow the steward to run any risks, accepted Hardy's escort home. Mr. Wilks watched them from the door, andwith his head in a whirl caused by the night's proceedings mixed himselfa stiff glass of grog to set it right, and drank to the health of both ofthem. [Illustration: "Mr. Wilks drank to the health of both of them. "] The wind had abated somewhat in violence as they walked home, and, moreover, they had their backs to it. The walk was slower and moreenjoyable in many respects than the walk out. In an unusually soft moodshe replied to his remarks and stole little critical glances up at him. When they reached the house she stood a little while at the gate gazingat the starry sky and listening to the crash of the sea on the beach. "It is a fine night, " she said, as she shook hands. "The best I have ever known, " said Hardy. "Good-bye. " CHAPTER XVII The weeks passed all too quickly for James Hardy. He saw Kate Nugent ather own home; met her, thanks to the able and hearty assistance of Mr. Wilks, at Fullalove Alley, and on several occasions had the agreeabletask of escorting her back home. He cabled to his father for news of the illustrious stowaway immediatelythe _Conqueror_ was notified as having reached Port Elizabeth. Thereply--"Left ship"--confirmed his worst fears, but he cheerfully acceptedMrs. Kingdom's view that the captain, in order to relieve the naturalanxiety of his family, had secured a passage on the first vessel homewardbound. Captain Hardy was the first to reach home. In the early hours of a fineApril morning the _Conqueror_ steamed slowly into Sunwich Harbour, and ina very short time the town was revelling in a description of CaptainNugent's first voyage before the mast from lips which were never tired ofrepeating it. Down by the waterside Mr. Nathan Smith found that he hadsuddenly attained the rank of a popular hero, and his modesty took alarmat the publicity afforded to his action. It was extremely distasteful toa man who ran a quiet business on old-fashioned lines and disbelieved inadvertisement. He lost three lodgers the same day. [Illustration: "A popular hero. "] Jem Hardy was one of the few people in Sunwich for whom the joke had nocharms, and he betrayed such an utter lack of sympathy with his father'srecital that the latter accused him at last of wanting a sense of humour. "I don't see anything amusing in it, " said his son, stiffly. Captain Hardy recapitulated one or two choice points, and was even atsome pains to explain them. "I can't see any fun in it, " repeated his son. "Your behaviour seems tome to have been deplorable. " "What?" shouted the captain, hardly able to believe his ears. "Captain Nugent was your guest, " pursued the other; "he got on your shipby accident, and he should have been treated decently as a saloonpassenger. " "And been apologized to for coming on board, I suppose?" suggested thecaptain. "It wouldn't have been amiss, " was the reply. The captain leaned back in his chair and regarded him thoughtfully. "I can't think what's the matter with you, Jem, " he said. "Ordinary decent ideas, that's all, " said his son, scathingly. "There's something more in it than that, " said the other, positively. "I don't like to see this love-your-enemy business with you, Jem; itain't natural to you. Has your health been all right while I've beenaway?" "Of course it has, " said his son, curtly. "If you didn't want CaptainNugent aboard with you why didn't you put him ashore? It wouldn't havedelayed you long. Think of the worry and anxiety you've caused poor Mrs. Kingdom. " "A holiday for her, " growled the captain. "It has affected her health, " continued his son; "and besides, think ofhis daughter. She's a high-spirited girl, and all Sunwich is laughingover her father's mishap. " "Nugent fell into his own trap, " exclaimed the captain, impatiently. "And it won't do that girl of his any harm to be taken down a peg or two. Do her good. Knock some of the nonsense out of her. " "That's not the way to speak of a lady, " said Jem, hotly. The offended captain regarded him somewhat sourly; then his face changed, and he got up from his chair and stood before his son with consternationdepicted on every feature. "You don't mean to tell me, " he said, slowly; "you don't mean to tell methat you're thinking anything of Kate Nugent?" "Why not?" demanded the other, defiantly; "why shouldn't I?" Captain Hardy, whistling softly, made no reply, but still stood eyeinghim. "I thought there was some other reason for your consideration besides'ordinary decent ideas, '" he said, at last. "When did it come on? Howlong have you had it?" Mr. Hardy, jun. , in a studiously unfilial speech, intimated that thesepleasantries were not to his taste. "No, of course not, " said the captain, resuming his seat. "Well, I'msorry if it's serious, Jem, but I never dreamt you had any ideas in thatquarter. If I had I'd have given old Nugent the best bunk on the shipand sung him to sleep myself. Has she given you any encouragement?" "Don't know, " said Jem, who found the conversation awkward. "Extraordinary thing, " said the captain, shaking his head, "extraordinary. Like a play. " "Play?" said his son, sharply. "Play, " repeated his father, firmly. "What is the name of it? I saw itonce at Newcastle. The lovers take poison and die across each other'schests because their people won't let 'em marry. And that reminds me. I saw some phosphor-paste in the kitchen, Jem. Whose is it?" "I'm glad to be the means of affording you amusement, " said Jem, grindinghis teeth. Captain Hardy regarded him affectionately. "Go easy, my lad, " he said, equably; "go easy. If I'd known it before, things would have beendifferent; as I didn't, we must make the best of it. She's a prettygirl, and a good one, too, for all her airs, but I'm afraid she's toofond of her father to overlook this. " "That's where you've made such a mess of things, " broke in his son. "Why on earth you two old men couldn't--" "Easy, " said the startled captain. "When you are in the early fifties, my lad, your ideas about age will be more accurate. Besides, Nugent isseven or eight years older than I am. " "What became of him?" inquired Jem. "He was off the moment we berthed, " said his father, suppressing a smile. "I don't mean that he bolted--he'd got enough starch left in him not todo that--but he didn't trespass on our hospitality a moment longer thanwas necessary. I heard that he got a passage home on the Columbus. Heknew the master. She sailed some time before us for London. I thoughthe'd have been home by this. " It was not until two days later, however, that the gossip in Sunwichreceived a pleasant fillip by the arrival of the injured captain. Hecame down from London by the midday train, and, disdaining the privacyof a cab, prepared to run the gauntlet of his fellow-townsmen. A weaker man would have made a detour, but he held a direct course, andwith a curt nod to acquaintances who would have stopped him walkedswiftly in the direction of home. Tradesmen ran to their shop-doors tosee him, and smoking amphibians lounging at street corners broke out intosunny smiles as he passed. He met these annoyances with a set face and acold eye, but his views concerning children were not improved by thecrowd of small creatures which fluttered along the road ahead of him and, hopeful of developments, clustered round the gate as he passed in. [Illustration: "He met these annoyances with a set face. "] It is the pride and privilege of most returned wanderers to hold forthat great length concerning their adventures, but Captain Nugent wascommendably brief. At first he could hardly be induced to speak of themat all, but the necessity of contradicting stories which Bella hadgleaned for Mrs. Kingdom from friends in town proved too strong for him. He ground his teeth with suppressed fury as he listened to some of them. The truth was bad enough, and his daughter, sitting by his side with herhand in his, was trembling with indignation. "Poor father, " she said, tenderly; "what a time you must have had. ""It won't bear thinking of, " said Mrs. Kingdom, not to be outdone insympathy. "He met these annoyances with a set face. " "Well, don't think of it, " said the captain, shortly. Mrs. Kingdom sighed as though to indicate that her feelings were not tobe suppressed in that simple fashion. "The anxiety has been very great, " she said, shaking her head, "buteverybody's been very kind. I'm sure all our friends have been mostsympathetic. I couldn't go outside the house without somebody stoppingme and asking whether there was any news of you. I'd no idea you were sopopular; even the milkman----" "I'd like some tea, " interrupted the captain, roughly; "that is, when youhave finished your very interesting information. " Mrs. Kingdom pursed her lips together to suppress the words she wasafraid to utter, and rang the bell. "Your master would like some tea, " she said, primly, as Bella appeared. "He has had a long journey. " The captain started and eyed her fiercely;Mrs. Kingdom, her good temper quite restored by this little retort, folded her hands in her lap and gazed at him with renewed sympathy. "We all missed you very much, " said Kate, softly. "But we had no fearsonce we knew that you were at sea. " "And I suppose some of the sailors were kind to you?" suggested theunfortunate Mrs. Kingdom. "They are rough fellows, but I suppose some ofthem have got their hearts in the right place. I daresay they were sorryto see you in such a position. " The captain's reply was of a nature known to Mrs. Kingdom and her circleas "snapping one's head off. " He drew his chair to the table as Bellabrought in the tray and, accepting a cup of tea, began to discuss withhis daughter the events which had transpired in his absence. "There is no news, " interposed Mrs. Kingdom, during an interval. Mr. Hall's aunt died the other day. " "Never heard of her, " said the captain. "Neither had I, till then, " saidhis sister. "What a lot of people there are one never hears of, John. "The captain stared at her offensively and went on with his meal. A longsilence ensued. "I suppose you didn't get to hear of the cable that was sent?" said Mrs. Kingdom, making another effort to arouse interest. "What cable?" inquired her brother. "The one Mr. Hardy sent to his father about you, " replied Mrs. Kingdom. The captain pushed his chair back and stared her full in the face. "Whatdo you mean?" he demanded. His sister explained. "Do you mean to tell me that you've been speaking to young Hardy?"exclaimed the captain. "I could hardly help doing so, when he came here, " returned his sister, with dignity. "He has been very anxious about you. " Captain Nugent rose and strode up and down the room. Then he stopped andglanced sharply at his daughter. "Were you here when he called?" he demanded. "Yes, " was the reply. "And you--you spoke to him?" roared the captain. "I had to be civil, " said Miss Nugent, calmly; "I'm not a sea-captain. " Her father walked up and down the room again. Mrs. Kingdom, terrified atthe storm she had evoked, gazed helplessly at her niece. "What did he come here for?" said the captain. Miss Nugent glanced down at her plate. "I can't imagine, " she said, demurely. "The first time he came to tell us what had become of you. " The captain stopped in his walk and eyed her sternly. "I am veryfortunate in my children, " he said, slowly. "One is engaged to marry thedaughter of the shadiest rascal in Sunwich, and the other--" "And the other?" said his daughter, proudly, as he paused. "The other, " said the captain, as he came round the table and put hishand on her shoulder, "is my dear and obedient daughter. " "Yes, " said Miss Nugent; "but that isn't what you were going to say. Youneed not worry about me; I shall not do anything that would displeaseyou. " CHAPTER XVIII With a view to avoiding the awkwardness of a chance meeting with anymember of the Nugent family Hardy took the sea road on his way to theoffice the morning after the captain's return. Common sense told himto leave matters for the present to the healing hand of Time, and tocultivate habits of self-effacement by no means agreeable to one of histemperament. Despite himself his spirits rose as he walked. It was an ideal springmorning, cool and sunny. The short turf by the side of the road wasfragrant under his heel, and a light wind stirred the blueness of thesea. On the beach below two grizzled men of restful habit wereendeavouring to make an old boat waterproof with red and green paint. A long figure approaching slowly from the opposite direction broke into apleasant smile as he drew near and quickened his pace to meet him. "You're out early, " said Hardy, as the old man stopped and turned withhim. "'Ave to be, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, darkly; "out early and 'ome late, andmore often than not getting my dinner out. That's my life nowadays. " "Can't you let her see that her attentions are undesirable?" inquiredHardy, gravely. "Can't you let her see that her attentions are undesirable?" [Illustration: "'Can't you let her see that her attentions areundesirable?'"] "I can't be rude to a woman, " said the steward, with a melancholy smile;"if I could, my life would ha' been very different. She's alwaysstepping across to ask my advice about Teddy, or something o' that sort. All last week she kept borrowing my frying-pan, so at last by way ofletting 'er see I didn't like it I went out and bought 'er one forherself. What's the result? Instead o' being offended she went out andbought me a couple o' neck-ties. When I didn't wear 'em she pretended itwas because I didn't like the colour, and she went and bought two more. I'm wearing one now. " He shook his head ruefully, and Hardy glanced at a tie which would havepaled the glories of a rainbow. For some time they walked along insilence. "I'm going to pay my respects to Cap'n Nugent this afternoon, " said Mr. Wilks, suddenly. "Ah, " said the other. "I knew what it 'ud be with them two on the same ship, " continued Mr. Wilks. "I didn't say nothing when you was talking to Miss Kate, but Iknew well enough. " "Ah, " said Hardy again. There was no mistaking the significance of thesteward's remarks, and he found them somewhat galling. It was all verywell to make use of his humble friend, but he had no desire to discusshis matrimonial projects with him. "It's a great pity, " pursued the unconscious Mr. Wilks, "just aseverything seemed to be going on smoothly; but while there's life there's'ope. " "That's a smart barge over there, " said Hardy, pointing it out. Mr. Wilks nodded. "I shall keep my eyes open this afternoon, " he saidreassuringly. "And if I get a chance of putting in a word it'll be putin. Twenty-nine years I sailed with the cap'n, and if there's anybodyknows his weak spots it's me. " He stopped as they reached the town and said "good-bye. " He pressed theyoung man's hand sympathetically, and a wink of intense artfulness gavepoint to his last remark. "There's always Sam Wilks's cottage, " he said, in a husky whisper; "andif two of 'is friends _should_ 'appen to meet there, who'd be the wiser?" He gazed benevolently after the young man's retreating figure andcontinued his stroll, his own troubles partly forgotten in the desire toassist his friends. It would be a notable feat for the humble steward tobe the means of bringing the young people together and thereby bringingto an end the feud of a dozen years. He pictured himself eventually asthe trusted friend and adviser of both families, and in one daring flightof fancy saw himself hobnobbing with the two captains over pipes andwhisky. Neatly dressed and carrying a small offering of wallflowers, he set outthat afternoon to call on his old master, giving, as he walked, the lasttouches to a little speech of welcome which he had prepared duringdinner. It was a happy effort, albeit a trifle laboured, but CaptainNugent's speech, the inspiration of the moment, gave it no chance. He started the moment the bowing Mr. Wilks entered the room, his voicerising gradually from low, bitter tones to a hurricane note which Bella. Could hear in the kitchen without even leaving her chair. Mr. Wilksstood dazed and speechless before him, holding the wallflowers in onehand and his cap in the other. In this attitude he listened to adescription of his character drawn with the loving skill of an artistwhose whole heart was in his work, and who seemed never tired of fillingin details. "If you ever have the hardihood to come to my house again, " he concluded, "I'll break every bone in your misshapen body. Get!" Mr. Wilks turned and groped his way to the door. Then he went a littleway back with some idea of defending himself, but the door of the roomwas slammed in his face. He walked slowly down the path to the road andstood there for some time in helpless bewilderment. In all his sixtyyears of life his feelings had never been so outraged. His cap was stillin his hand, and, with a helpless gesture, he put it on and scattered hisfloral offering in the road. Then he made a bee-line for the TwoSchooners. Though convivial by nature and ever free with his money, he sat theredrinking alone in silent misery. Men came and went, but he still satthere noting with mournful pride the attention caused by his unusualbearing. To casual inquiries he shook his head; to more direct ones heonly sighed heavily and applied himself to his liquor. Curiosityincreased with numbers as the day wore on, and the steward, determined tobe miserable, fought manfully against an ever-increasing cheerfulness dueto the warming properties of the ale within. "I 'ope you ain't lost nobody, Sam?" said a discomfited inquirer at last. Mr. Wilks shook his head. "You look as though you'd lost a shilling and found a ha'penny, " pursuedthe other. "Found a what?" inquired Mr. Wilks, wrinkling his forehead. "A ha'penny, " said his friend. "Who did?" said Mr. Wilks. The other attempted to explain and was ably assisted by two friends, but without avail; the impression left on Mr. Wilks's mind being thatsomebody had got a shilling of his. He waxed exceeding bitter, and saidthat he had been missing shillings for a long time. "You're labourin' under a mistake, Sam, " said the first speaker. Mr. Wilks laughed scornfully and essayed a sneer, while his friends, regarding his contortions with some anxiety, expressed a fear that he wasnot quite himself. To this suggestion the steward deigned no reply, andturning to the landlord bade him replenish his mug. "You've 'ad enough, Mr. Wilks, " said that gentleman, who had beenwatching him for some time. Mr. Wilks, gazing at him mistily, did not at first understand the fullpurport of this remark; but when he did, his wrath was so majestic andhis remarks about the quality of the brew so libellous that the landlordlost all patience. "You get off home, " he said, sharply. "Listen t' me, " said Mr. Wilks, impressively. "I don't want no words with you, " said the land-lord. "You get off homewhile you can. " "That's right, Sam, " said one of the company, putting his hand on thesteward's arm. "You take his advice. " Mr. Wilks shook the hand off and eyed his adviser ferociously. Then hetook a glass from the counter and smashed it on the floor. The nextmoment the bar was in a ferment, and the landlord, gripping Mr. Wilksround the middle, skilfully piloted him to the door and thrust him intothe road. [Illustration: "He took a glass from the counter and smashed it on thefloor. "] The strong air blowing from the sea disordered the steward's facultiesstill further. His treatment inside was forgotten, and, leaning againstthe front of the tavern, he stood open-mouthed, gazing at marvels. Shipsin the harbour suddenly quitted their native element and were drawn upinto the firmament; nobody passed but twins. "Evening, Mr. Wilks, " said a voice. The steward peered down at the voice. At first he thought it was anothercase of twins, but looking close he saw that it was Mr. Edward Silkalone. He saluted him graciously, and then, with a wave of his handtoward the sky, sought to attract his attention to the ships there. "Yes, " said the unconscious Mr. Silk, sign of a fine day to-morrow. "Are you going my way?" Mr. Wilks smiled, and detaching himself from the tavern with somedifficulty just saved Mr. Silk from a terrible fall by clutching himforcibly round the neck. The ingratitude of Mr. Silk was a rebuff to anature which was at that moment overflowing with good will. For a momentthe steward was half inclined to let him go home alone, but thereflection that he would never get there softened him. "Pull yourself t'gether, " he said, gravely, "Now, 'old on me. " The road, as they walked, rose up in imitation of the shipping, but Mr. Wilks knew now the explanation: Teddy Silk was intoxicated. Very gentlyhe leaned towards the erring youth and wagged his head at him. "Are you going to hold up or aren't you?" demanded Mr. Silk, shortly. The steward waived the question; he knew from experience the futility ofarguing with men in drink. The great thing was to get Teddy Silk home, not to argue with him. He smiled good-temperedly to himself, and with asudden movement pinned him up against the wall in time to arrest another`fall. [Illustration: "The great thing was to get Teddy Silk home. "] With frequent halts by the way, during which the shortness of Mr. Silk'stemper furnished Mr. Wilks with the texts of several sermons, none ofwhich he finished, they at last reached Fullalove Alley, and the steward, with a brief exhortation to his charge to hold his head up, bore down onMrs. Silk, who was sitting in her doorway. "I've brought 'im 'ome, " he said, steadying himself against the doorpost;"brought 'im 'ome. " "Brought 'im 'ome?" said the bewildered Mrs. Silk. "Don' say anything to 'im, " entreated Mr. Wilks, "my sake. Thing might'appen anybody. " "He's been like that all the way, " said Mr. Silk, regarding the stewardwith much disfavour. "I don't know why I troubled about him, I'm sure. " "Crowd roun 'im, " pursued the imaginative Mr. Wilks. "'Old up, Teddy. " "I'm sure it's very kind of you, Mr. Wilks, " said the widow, as sheglanced at a little knot of neighbours standing near. "Will you comeinside for a minute or two?" She moved the chair to let him pass, and Mr. Wilks, still keeping therestraining hand of age on the shoulder of intemperate youth, passed inand stood, smiling amiably, while Mrs. Silk lit the lamp and placed it inthe centre of the table, which was laid for supper. The light shone on aknuckle of boiled pork, a home-made loaf, and a fresh-cut wedge ofcheese. "I suppose you won't stay and pick a bit o' sup-per with us?" said Mrs. Silk. "Why not?" inquired Mr. Wilks. "I'm sure, if I had known, " said Mrs. Silk, as she piloted him to a seat, "I'd 'ave 'ad something nice. There, now! If I 'aven't been and forgotthe beer. " She left the table and went into the kitchen, and Mr. Wilks's eyesglistened as she returned with a large brown jug full of foaming ale andfilled his glass. "Teddy mustn't 'ave any, " he said, sharply, as she prepared to fill thatgentleman's glass. "Just 'alf a glass, " she said, winsomely. "Not a drop, " said Mr. Wilks, firmly. Mrs. Silk hesitated, and screwing up her forehead glanced significantlyat her son. "'Ave some by-and-by, " she whispered. "Give me the jug, " said Mr. Silk, indignantly. "What are you listeningto 'im for? Can't you see what's the matter with 'im?" "Not to 'ave it, " said Mr. Wilks; "put it 'ere. " He thumped the table emphatically with his hand, and before her indignantson could interfere Mrs. Silk had obeyed. It was the last straw. Mr. Edward Silk rose to his feet with tremendous effect and, first thrustinghis plate violently away from him, went out into the night, slamming thedoor behind him with such violence that the startled Mr. Wilks was nearlyblown out of his chair. "He don't mean nothing, " said Mrs. Silk, turning a rather scared face tothe steward. "'E's a bit jealous of you, I s'pose. " Mr. Wilks shook his head. Truth to tell, he was rather at a loss to knowexactly what had happened. "And then there's 'is love affair, " sighed Mrs. Silk. "He'll never getover the loss of Amelia Kybird. I always know when 'e 'as seen her, he'sthat miserable there's no getting a word out of 'im. " Mr. Wilks smiled vaguely and went on with his supper, and, the mealfinished, allowed himself to be installed in an easy-chair, while hishostess cleared the table. He sat and smoked in high good humour withhimself, the occasional remarks he made being received with an enthusiasmwhich they seldom provoked elsewhere. "I should like t' sit 'ere all night, " he said, at last. "I don't believe it, " said Mrs. Silk, playfully. "Like t' sit 'ere all night, " repeated Mr. Wilks, somewhat sternly. "Allnex' day, all day after, day after that, day----" Mrs. Silk eyed him softly. "Why would you like to sit here all thattime?" she inquired, in a low voice. "B'cause, " said Mr. Wilks, simply, "b'cause I don't feel's if I canstand. Goo'-night. " He closed his eyes on the indignant Mrs. Silk and fell fast asleep. Itwas a sound sleep and dreamless, and only troubled by the occasionalineffectual attempts of his hostess to arouse him. She gave up theattempt at last, and taking up a pair of socks sat working thoughtfullythe other side of the fire-place. The steward awoke an hour or two later, and after what seemed a terriblestruggle found himself standing at the open door with the cold night airblowing in his face, and a voice which by an effort of memory heidentified as that of Edward Silk inviting him "to go home and lose notime about it. " Then the door slammed behind him and he stood balancinghimself with some difficulty on the step, wondering what had happened. By the time he had walked up and down the deserted alley three or fourtimes light was vouchsafed to him and, shivering slightly, he found hisown door and went to bed. CHAPTER XIX Any hopes which Hardy might have entertained as to the attitude of MissNugent were dispelled the first time he saw her, that dutiful daughter ofa strong-willed sire favouring him with a bow which was exactly half aninch in depth and then promptly bestowing her gaze elsewhere. He passedCaptain Nugent next day, and for a week afterwards he had only to closehis eyes to see in all its appalling virulence the glare with which thatgentleman had acknowledged his attempt at recognition. [Illustration: "Captain Nugent. "] He fared no better in Fullalove Alley, a visit to Mr. Wilks eliciting thefact that that delectable thoroughfare had been put out of bounds forMiss Nugent. Moreover, Mr. Wilks was full of his own troubles andanxious for any comfort and advice that could be given to him. All thealley knew that Mrs. Silk had quarrelled with her son over the steward, and, without knowing the facts, spoke their mind with painful freedomconcerning them. "She and Teddy don't speak to each other now, " said Mr. Wilks, gloomily, "and to 'ear people talk you'd think it was my fault. " Hardy gave him what comfort he could. He even went the length of sayingthat Mrs. Silk was a fine woman. "She acts like a suffering martyr, " exclaimed Mr. Wilks. "She comes over'ere dropping hints that people are talking about us, and that they ask'er awkward questions. Pretending to misunderstand 'er every time isenough to send me crazy; and she's so sudden in what she says there's nobeing up to 'er. On'y this morning she asked me if I should be sorry ifshe died. " "What did you say?" inquired his listener. "I said 'yes, '" admitted Mr. Wilks, reluctantly. "I couldn't sayanything else; but I said that she wasn't to let my feelings interferewith 'er in any way. " Hardy's father sailed a day or two later, and after that nothinghappened. Equator Lodge was an impregnable fortress, and the only memberof the garrison he saw in a fortnight was Bella. His depression did not escape the notice of his partner, who, after firstadvising love-philtres and then a visit to a well-known specialist fordiseases of the heart, finally recommended more work, and put a generousportion of his own on to the young man's desk. Hardy, who was in an eviltemper, pitched it on to the floor and, with a few incisive remarks onlevity unbecoming to age, pursued his duties in gloomy silence. A short time afterwards, however, he had to grapple with his partner'swork in real earnest. For the first time in his life the genialshipbroker was laid up with a rather serious illness. A chill caughtwhile bathing was going the round of certain unsuspected weak spots, andthe patient, who was of an inquiring turn of mind, was taking a greaterinterest in medical works than his doctor deemed advisable. "Most interesting study, " he said, faintly, to Hardy, as the latter satby his bedside one evening and tried to cheer him in the usual way bytelling him that there was nothing the matter with him. "There aredozens of different forms of liver complaint alone, and I've got 'emall. " "Liver isn't much, " said his visitor, with the confidence of youth. "Mine is, " retorted the invalid; "it's twice its proper size and stillgrowing. Base of the left lung is solidifying, or I'm much mistaken; theheart, instead of waltzing as is suitable to my time of life, is doing agalop, and everything else is as wrong as it can be. " "When are you coming back?" inquired the other. "Back?" repeated Swann. "Back? You haven't been listening. I'm awreck. All through violating man's primeval instinct by messing about incold water. What is the news?" Hardy pondered and shook his head. "Nugent is going to be married inJuly, " he said, at last. "He'd better have had that trip on the whaler, " commented Mr. Swann; "butthat is not news. Nathan Smith told it me this morning. " "Nathan Smith?" repeated the other, in surprise. "I've done him a little service, " said the invalid. "Got him out of amess with Garth and Co. He's been here two or three times, and I mustconfess I find him a most alluring rascal. " "Birds of a feather--" began Hardy, superciliously. "Don't flatter me, " said Swann, putting his hand out of the bed-clotheswith a deprecatory gesture. "I am not worthy to sit at his feet. He is the most amusing knave on thecoast. He is like a sunbeam in a sick room when you can once get him totalk of his experiences. Have you seen young Nugent lately? Does heseem cheerful?" "Yes, but he is not, " was the reply. "Well, it's natural for the young to marry, " said the other, gravely. "Murchison will be the next to go, I expect. " "Possibly, " returned Hardy, with affected calmness. "Blaikie was saying something about it this morning, " resumed Swann, regarding him from half-closed lids, "but he was punching and tapping meall about the ribs while he was talking, and I didn't catch all he said, but I think it's all arranged. Murchison is there nearly every day, Iunderstand; I suppose you meet him there?" Mr. Hardy, whistling softly, rose and walked round the room, uncorkingmedicine bottles and sniffing at their contents. A smile of unaffectedpleasure lit up his features as he removed the stopper from oneparticularly pungent mixture. [Illustration: "Sniffing at their contents. "] "Two tablespoonfuls three times a day, " he read, slowly. "When did youhave the last, Swann? Shall I ring for the nurse?" The invalid shook his head impatiently. "You're an ungrateful dog, " hemuttered, "or you would tell me how your affair is going. Have you gotany chance?" "You're getting light-headed now, " said Hardy, calmly. "I'd better go. " "All right, go then, " responded the invalid; "but if you lose that girljust for the want of a little skilled advice from an expert, you'll neverforgive yourself--I'm serious. " "Well, you must be ill then, " said the younger man, with anxiety. "Twice, " said Mr. Swann, lying on his back and apparently addressing theceiling, "twice I have given this young man invaluable assistance, andeach time he has bungled. " Hardy laughed and, the nurse returning to the room, bade him "good-bye"and departed. After the close atmosphere of the sick room the air wasdelicious, and he walked along slowly, deep in thought. From NathanSmith his thoughts wandered to Jack Nugent and his unfortunateengagement, and from that to Kate Nugent. For months he had beenrevolving impossible schemes in his mind to earn her gratitude, andpossibly that of the captain, by extricating Jack. In the latterconnection he was also reminded of that unhappy victim of unrequitedaffection, Edward Silk. It was early to go indoors, and the house was dull. He turned andretraced his steps, and, his thoughts reverting to his sick partner, smiled as he remembered remarks which that irresponsible person had madeat various times concerning the making of his last will and testament. Then he came to a sudden standstill as a wild, forlorn-hope kind of ideasuddenly occurred to him. He stood for some time thinking, then walked alittle way, and then stopped again as various difficulties presentedthemselves for solution. Finally, despite the lateness of the hour, hewalked back in some excitement to the house he had quitted over half anhour before with the intention of speaking to the invalid concerning aduty peculiarly incumbent upon elderly men of means. The nurse, who came out of the sick room, gently closing the door afterher, demurred a little to this second visit, but, receiving a promisefrom the visitor not to excite the invalid, left them together. Theodour of the abominable physic was upon the air. "Well?" said the invalid. "I have been thinking that I was rather uncivil a little while ago, " saidHardy. "Ah!" said the other. "What do you want?" "A little of that skilled assistance you were speaking of. " Mr. Swann made an alarming noise in his throat. Hardy sprang forward inalarm, but he motioned him back. "I was only laughing, " he explained. Hardy repressed his annoyance by an effort, and endeavoured, but withscant success, to return the other's smile. "Go on, " said the shipbroker, presently. "I have thought of a scheme for upsetting Nugent's marriage, " said Hardy, slowly. "It is just a forlorn hope which depends for its success on you andNathan Smith. " "He's a friend of Kybird's, " said the other, drily. "That is the most important thing of all, " rejoined Hardy. "That is, next to your shrewdness and tact; everything depends upon you, really, and whether you can fool Smith. It is a great thing in our favour thatyou have been taking him up lately. " "Are you coming to the point or are you not?" demanded the shipbroker. Hardy looked cautiously round the room, and then, drawing his chair closeto the bed, leaned over the prostrate man and spoke rapidly into his ear. "What?" cried the astounded Mr. Swann, suddenly sitting up in his bed. "You--you scoundrel!" "It's to be done, " said Hardy. "You ghoul!" said the invalid, glaring at him. "Is that the way to talkto a sick man? You unscrupulous rascal!" "It'll be amusement for you, " pleaded the other, "and if we aresuccessful it will be the best thing in the end for everybody. Think ofthe good you'll do. " "Where you get such rascally ideas from, I can't think, " mused theinvalid. "Your father is a straightforward, honest man, and yourpartner's uprightness is the talk of Sunwich. " "It doesn't take much to make Sunwich talk, " retorted Hardy. "A preposterous suggestion to make to a man of my standing, " said theshipbroker, ignoring the remark. "If the affair ever leaked out I shouldnever hear the end of it. " "It can't leak out, " said Hardy, "and if it does there is no directevidence. They will never really know until you die; they can onlysuspect. " "Very well, " said the shipbroker, with a half-indulgent, half-humorousglance. "Anything to get rid of you. It's a crack-brained scheme, andcould only originate with a young man whose affections have weakened hishead--I consent. " "Bravo!" said Hardy and patted him on the back; Mr. Swann referred to thebase of his left lung, and he apologized. "I'll have to fix it up with Blaikie, " said the invalid, lying downagain. "Murchison got two of his best patients last week, so that itought to be easy. And besides, he is fond of innocent amusement. " "I'm awfully obliged to you, " said Hardy. "It might be as well if we pretended to quarrel, " said the invalid, reflectively, "especially as you are known to be a friend of Nugent's. We'll have a few words--before my housekeeper if possible, to insurepublicity--and then you had better not come again. Send Silk insteadwith messages. " Hardy thanked him and whispered a caution as a footstep was heard on thelanding. The door opened and the nurse, followed by the housekeeperbearing a tray, entered the room. "And I can't be worried about these things, " said Swann, in anacrimonious voice, as they entered. "If you are not capable of settlinga simple question like that yourself, ask the office-boy to instruct you. "It's your work, " retorted Hardy, "and a nice mess it's in. " "H'sh!" said the nurse, coming forward hastily. "You must leave theroom, sir. I can't have you exciting my patient. " Hardy bestowed an indignant glance at the invalid. "Get out!" said that gentleman, with extraordinary fierceness for one inhis weak condition. "In future, nurse, I won't have this person admittedto my room. " "Yes, yes; certainly, " said the nurse. "You must go, sir; at once, please. " "I'm going, " said Hardy, almost losing his gravity at the piteousspectacle afforded by the house-keeper as she stood, still holding thetray and staring open-mouthed at the combatants. "When you're tired ofskulking in bed, perhaps you'll come and do your share of the work. " Mr. Swann rose to a sitting position, and his demeanour was so alarmingthat the nurse, hastening over to him, entreated him to lie down, andwaved Hardy peremptorily from the room. "Puppy!" said the invalid, with great relish. "Blockhead!" [Illustration: "'Puppy!' said the invalid. "] He gazed fixedly at the young man as he departed and then, catching sightin his turn of the housekeeper's perplexity, laid himself down and buriedhis face in the bed-clothes. The nurse crossed over to her assistantand, taking the tray from her, told her in a sharp whisper that if sheever admitted Mr. Hardy again she would not be answerable for theconsequences. CHAPTER XX Charmed at the ease with which he had demolished the objections of Mr. Adolphus Swann and won that suffering gentleman over to his plans, Hardybegan to cast longing glances at Equator Lodge. He reminded himself thatthe labourer was worthy of his hire, and it seemed moreover an extremelydesirable thing that Captain Nugent should know that he was labouring inhis vineyard with the full expectation of a bounteous harvest. Heresolved to call. Kate Nugent, who heard the gate swing behind him as he entered the frontgarden, looked up and stood spellbound at his audacity. As a fairlycourageous young person she was naturally an admirer of boldness inothers, but this seemed sheer recklessness. Moreover, it wasrecklessness in which, if she stayed where she was, she would have tobear a part or be guilty of rudeness, of which she felt incapable. Shetook a third course, and, raising her eyebrows at the unnecessarily loudknocking with which the young man announced his arrival, retreated ingood order into the garden, where her father, in a somewhat heatedcondition, was laboriously planting geraniums. She had barely reachedhim when Bella, in a state of fearsome glee, came down the garden to tellthe captain of his visitor. [Illustration: "Bella, in a state of fearsome glee, came down the gardento tell the captain of his visitor. "] "Who?" said the latter, sharply, as he straightened his aching back. "Young Mr. Hardy, " said Bella, impressively. "I showed 'im in; I didn'task 'im to take a chair, but he took one. " "Young Hardy to see me!" said the captain to his daughter, after Bellahad returned to the house. "How dare he come to my house? Infernalimpudence! I won't see him. " "Shall I go in and see him for you?" inquired Kate, with affectedartlessness. "You stay where you are, miss, " said her father. "I won't have himspeak to you; I won't have him look at you. I'll----" He beat his dirty hands together and strode off towards the house. JemHardy rose from his chair as the captain entered the room and, ignoring alook of black inquiry, bade him "Good afternoon. " "What do you want?" asked the captain, gruffly, as he stared him straightin the eye. "I came to see you about your son's marriage, " said the other. "Are youstill desirous of preventing it?" "I'm sorry you've had the trouble, " said the captain, in a voice ofsuppressed anger; "and now may I ask you to get out of my house?" Hardy bowed. "I am sorry I have troubled you, " he said, calmly, "but Ihave a plan which I think would get your son out of this affair, and, asa business man, I wanted to make something out of it. " The captain eyed him scornfully, but he was glad to see thiswell-looking, successful son of his old enemy tainted with such sordidviews. Instead of turning him out he spoke to him almost fairly. "How much do you want?" he inquired. "All things considered, I am asking a good deal, " was the reply. "How much?" repeated the captain, impatiently. Hardy hesitated. "In exchange for the service I want permission to visithere when I choose, " he said, at length; "say twice a week. " Words failed the captain; none with which he was acquainted seemedforcible enough for the occasion. He faced his visitor stuttering withrage, and pointed to the door. "Get out of my house, " he roared. [Illustration: "'Get out of my house, ' he roared. ] "I'm sorry to have intruded, " said Hardy, as he crossed the room andpaused at the door; "it is none of my business, of course. I thoughtthat I saw an opportunity of doing your son a good turn--he is a friendof mine--and at the same time paying off old scores against Kybird andNathan Smith. I thought that on that account it might suit you. Goodafternoon. " He walked out into the hall, and reaching the front door fumbled clumsilywith the catch. The captain watching his efforts in grim silence beganto 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 camefrom 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 aforbidding 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 quiteunprepared. His first idea was to sacrifice his dignity and forciblyeject his visitor, but more sensible thoughts prevailed. "You are quite sure, I suppose, that your visits would be agreeable to mydaughter?" 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, andanything that is worth having is worth paying for. I suppose we couldboth smoke pipes under pleasanter conditions. What have you got againstme? 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 thedoor 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 iswasted. Nathan Smith would be all the better for a fall. " The captain hesitated. His visitor seemed to be confident, and he wouldhave given a great deal to prevent his son's marriage and a great deal torepay some portion of his debt to the ingenious Mr. Smith. Moreover, there seemed to be an excellent opportunity of punishing the presumptionof his visitor by taking him at his word. "I don't think you'd enjoy your smoking here much, " he said, curtly. "I'll take my chance of that, " said the other. "It will only be a matterof a few weeks, and then, if I am unsuccessful, my visits cease. " "And if you're successful, am I to have the pleasure of your company forthe rest of my life?" demanded the captain. "That will be for you to decide, " was the reply. "Is it a bargain?" The captain looked at him and deliberated. "All right. Mondays andThursdays, " he said, laconically. Hardy saw through the ruse, and countered. "Now Swann is ill I can't always get away when I wish, " he said, easily. "I'll just drop in when I can. Good day. " He opened the door and, fearful lest the other should alter his mind atthe last moment, walked briskly down the path to the gate. The captainstood for some time after his departure deep in thought, and thenreturned to the garden to be skilfully catechized by Miss Nugent. "And when my young friend comes with his pipe you'll be in another room, "he concluded, warningly. Miss Nugent looked up and patted his cheek tenderly. "What a talent fororganization you have, " she remarked, softly. "A place for everythingand everything in its place. The idea of his taking such a fancy toyou!" The captain coughed and eyed her suspiciously. He had been careful notto tell her Hardy's reasons for coming, but he had a shrewd idea that hiscaution was wasted. "Today is Thursday, " said Kate, slowly; "he will be here to-morrow andSaturday. What shall I wear?" The captain resumed his gardening operations by no means perturbed at theprophecy. Much as he disliked the young man he gave him credit for acertain amount of decency, and his indignation was proportionately greatthe following evening when Bella announced Mr. Hardy. He made a genialremark about Shylock and a pound of flesh, but finding that it was onlyan excellent conversational opening, the subject of Shakespeare's playslapsed into silence. It was an absurd situation, but he was host and Hardy allowed him to seepretty plainly that he was a guest. He answered the latter's remarkswith a very ill grace, and took covert stock of him as one of a specieshe had not encountered before. One result of his stock-taking was thathe was spared any feeling of surprise when his visitor came the followingevening. "It's the thin end of the wedge, " said Miss Nugent, who came into theroom after Hardy had departed; "you don't know him as well as I do. " "Eh?" said her father, sharply. "I mean that you are not such a judge of character as I am, " said Kate;"and besides, I have made a special study of young men. The only thingthat puzzles me is why you should have such an extraordinary fascinationfor him. " "You talk too much, miss, " said the captain, drawing the tobacco jartowards him and slowly filling his pipe. Miss Nugent sighed, and after striking a match for him took a seat on thearm of his chair and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I can quiteunderstand him liking you, " she said, slowly. The captain grunted. "And if he is like other sensible people, " continued Miss Nugent, in acoaxing voice, "the more he sees of you the more he'll like you. I dohope he has not come to take you away from me. " [Illustration: "I do hope he has not come to take you away from me. "] The indignant captain edged her off the side of his chair; Miss Nugent, quite undisturbed, got on again and sat tapping the floor with her foot. Her arm stole round his neck and she laid her cheek against his head andsmiled wickedly. "Nice-looking, isn't he?" she said, in a careless voice. "I don't know anything about his looks, " growled her father. Miss Nugent gave a little exclamation of surprise. "First thing Inoticed, " she said, with commendable gravity. "He's very good-lookingand very determined. What are you going to give him if he gets poor Jackout of this miserable business?" "Give him?" said her father, staring. "I met Jack yesterday, " said Kate, "and I can see that he is as wretchedas he can be. He wouldn't say so, of course. If Mr. Hardy is successfulyou ought to recognize it. I should suggest one of your new photos in aneighteenpenny frame. " She slipped off the chair and quitted the room before her father couldthink of a suitable retort, and he sat smoking silently until theentrance of Mrs. Kingdom a few minutes later gave him an opportunity ofworking off a little accumulated gall. While the junior partner was thus trying to obtain a footing at EquatorLodge the gravest rumours of the senior partner's health were prevalentin the town. Nathan Smith, who had been to see him again, ostensibly tothank him for his efforts on his behalf, was of opinion that he wasbreaking up, and in conversation with Mr. Kybird shook his head over theidea that there would soon be one open-handed gentleman the less in aworld which was none too full of them. "We've all got to go some day, " observed Mr. Kybird, philosophically. "'Ow's that cough o' yours getting on, Nat?" Mr. Smith met the pleasantry coldly; the ailment referred to was one ofsome standing and had been a continual source of expense in the way ofbalsams and other remedies. "He's worried about 'is money, " he said, referring to Mr. Swann. "Ah, we sha'n't 'ave that worry, " said Mr. Kybird. "Nobody to leave it to, " continued Mr. Smith. "Seems a bit 'ard, don'tit?" "P'r'aps if 'e 'ad 'ad somebody to leave it to 'e wouldn't 'ave 'ad somuch to leave, " observed Mr. Kybird, sagely; "it's a rum world. " He shook his head over it and went on with the uncongenial task ofmarking down wares which had suffered by being exposed outside too long. Mr. Smith, who always took an interest in the welfare of his friends, made suggestions. "I shouldn't put a ticket marked 'Look at this!' on that coat, " he said, severely. "It oughtn't to be looked at. " "It's the best out o' three all 'anging together, " said Mr. Kybird, evenly. "And look 'ere, " said Mr. Smith. "Look what an out-o'-the-way placeyou've put this ticket. Why not put it higher up on the coat?" "Becos the moth-hole ain't there, " said Mr. Kybird. Mr. Smith apologized and watched his friend without further criticism. "Gettin' ready for the wedding, I s'pose?" he said, presently. Mr. Kybird assented, and his brow darkened as he spoke of surreptitiousraids on his stores made by Mrs. Kybird and daughter. "Their idea of a wedding, " he said, bitterly, "is to dress up and make ashow; my idea is a few real good old pals and plenty of licker. " "You'll 'ave to 'ave both, " observed Nathan Smith, whose knowledge of thesex was pretty accurate. Mr. Kybird nodded gloomily. "'Melia and Jack don't seem to 'ave been'itting it off partikler well lately, " he said, slowly. "He's gettingmore uppish than wot 'e was when 'e come here first. But I got 'im topromise that he'd settle any money that 'e might ever get left him on'Melia. " Mr. Smith's inscrutable eyes glistened into something as nearlyapproaching a twinkle as they were capable. "That'll settle the five'undred, " he said, warmly. "Are you goin' to send Cap'n Nugent an invitefor the wedding?" [Illustration: "Are you goin' to send Cap'n Nugent an invite for thewedding?"] "They'll 'ave to be asked, o' course, " said Mr. Kybird, with an attemptat dignity, rendered necessary by a certain lightness in his friend'smanner. "The old woman don't like the Nugent lot, but she'll do theproper thing. " "O' course she will, " said Mr. Smith, soothingly. "Come over and 'ave adrink with me, Dan'l it's your turn to stand. "