“Look here, Sylvanus, what did you say the captain’s name is?”

“Oh, the old pill’s name is Thomas, like the schooner, but, you see, he married one of the pretty Carruthers gals, and a good match it was; for, I tell ye, them Carruthers gals hold their heads mighty high.  Why, the ansomest of them married Dr. Carmichael that was member, and, of they did say he married below him, there wasn’t a prouder nor a handsomer woman in all the country.  There’s a brother of the Carruthers gals lives on a farm out in Grey, and he took up with a good lookin’ Irish gal that was lady’s maid or some such truck.  That’s marryin’ below yourself ef you like, but, bless you, Miss Carmichael don’t bear him no spite for it.  She goes and stays with him times in the holidays, just like she does along o’ the old man here.  My! what a three days o’ singin’ and fun it was when them two gals was aboard; never see nothing like it afore nor sence.”

“By George!” groaned the lawyer.

“What’s up, Mister? turned sick, eh? smell o’ the tar too much fer your narves?  It do make some city folks a bit squarmish.  Wish I’d a drop o’ stuff for you, but we don’t carry none; wouldn’t do, you know.”  Coristine was touched by the good fellow’s kindness, and opened his flask for their joint benefit, after which he felt better, and The Crew said it made him like a four-year-old.

“Hi, Sylvanus, come aft here to your dog watch,” cried the captain, and The Crew retired, while his superior officer and Wilkinson came forward.  The former went down into the hold, leaving the dominie free for conversation with his friend.  “It’s all up again, Wilks,” said Coristine sadly; “those two girls were on board this very schooner, no later than last summer, and the one that spotted you is the captain’s niece.”

“I know,” groaned Wilkinson; “did he not tell me that he had a niece, a wonderfully fine girl, if he did say it, in the public schools, and made me promise to look her up when I go back to town!  This kind of thing will be the death of me, Corry.  Tell me, is your friend at the helm another uncle?”

“Oh, no,” laughed Coristine, “he’s a simple-hearted, humble sort of creature, who worships the boards these girls trod upon.  He has a tremendous respect for the Carmichaels.  What a lucky thing it is they didn’t come on board at Belle Ewart!  Do you think they’ll be on hand at Barrie?”

“I shouldn’t wonder.”

“Then, Wilks, I tell you what it is, we must slope.  When it gets dark, I’ll slip over the stern into the dingy and bring her round to the side for you; then we’ll sail away for parts unknown.”

“Corry, I am ashamed of you for imagining that I would lend myself to base treachery, and robbery, or piracy rather, on the high seas, laying us open, as you, a lawyer, must know, to penalties that would blast our reputations and ruin our lives.  No, sir, we must face our misfortune like men.  In the meanwhile, I will find out, from the captain, where his niece and her friend are likely to be.”