“I believe I know the right man,” Lois remarked in a low voice.  “He is living at Creekdale, and if you will take me there at once we can have a talk with him.  I know he will assist us all he can, and we can depend upon what he says.”

“We shall go at once,” Mr. Westcote replied.  “I shall order the car immediately.  You had better come too, Margaret.”

Lois was now in a great whirl of excitement, and she could hardly wait for the arrival of the car.  Mr. Westcote told the chauffeur to make good time, and though they travelled fast it seemed to Lois a long time before the Haven appeared in sight.

The captain and Mrs. Peterson were greatly surprised when the car swung up to the Haven and the young women and Mr. Westcote alighted.  The captain was lying in his big chair upon the verandah with his wife knitting by his side.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he exclaimed as he shook hands with his visitors.  “I thought you were all in the city, and had forgotten your country friends.”

“Oh, we can never forget you, Captain,” Lois smilingly replied.  “We have come on purpose to see you, and so you should feel very much elated and be on your best behaviour.”

“Sure, sure, indeed I shall.  But what do you want to see me about?” he enquired.  “Has it anything to do with that murder case?  I am most anxious to hear the latest news.”

“I have come to ask you to get your thinking-cap on,” Lois replied.

“My thinking-cap!  Why, bless your heart, it’s always on, day and night.”

“That’s good, Captain.  But first I wish to ask you a few questions.”

“Drive ahead, then, I’m ready.”

“You have often sailed to Liverpool, have you not?”

“Sure.  Know the place well.”

“You knew also of the Dockett Concern there, didn’t you?  I have heard you mention that name.”

“Yes, indeed I did.  Knew old Simon Dockett himself, and saw him often.  My, he was a cranky cuss, if ever there was one.  He had a whale of a tongue, and knew how to use it.”

“Did you know anything about his family?”

“Not much.  He never married, as I guess no woman would have him.  But I know for sure that he has a nephew.  He sailed once on my ship, and that was the first time I met him.  He was a gay one.”

“Do you remember his name?” Lois was much excited now.

“Sure; it was Melburne Telford.  I couldn’t forget that for if he told it to us once on that trip he told it a hundred times.  He was always boasting that he was the nephew of old Simon Dockett, and that he was to fall heir to his wealth.”

“Have you ever seen him since, Captain?”

“Not until he struck this place, travelling under the name of Sydney Bramshaw.  I knew him, though he didn’t know me,” and the captain smiled as he ran his hand over his bearded face.  “I didn’t have this then.  At first I couldn’t exactly make out where I had seen the fellow before, but when I remembered I gave such a whoop that the women folk thought I had gone out of my mind, and came running in to see what was wrong.”