hat shyster tries to get in on this his neck won't be
wuth the skin that covers it."

"You still persist in trying to threaten me, I see."

"No, Jim, this ain't a threat. If you want the witness part after I get
through I'll accommodate you with plenty of 'em. But I cal'late we'd
best talk it over private-like fust. I happened onto a feller the other
day by the name of John Peters, and he spun me the likeliest yarn I ever
heard about Australia. I thought you'd like to hear it, but I don't want
to take your valuable time. Good night."

"Hold on, Josiah! I did not catch that name. Who was it you saw?"

But the Captain did not hold on to anything except to his news
concerning John Peters. He entered the minister's study and closed the
door.

A little later the side door opened and closed quietly. The seaman
thought the Fox had run for his hole. But the study door soon opened.
The Captain turned his back, drew out his pipe, and with slow
deliberation began to pack the bowl with shavings from a black plug of
tobacco.

"I think I can spare you a few minutes, Josiah," barely whispered the
Elder. "I don't want to seem arrogant and high-handed in the matter of
that small loan. And if there is anything----"

"That's all right, Jim, about that loan. Come right in, and set down.
Thought you'd gone hum."

"That was the preacher going out with my daughter. He shall see the day
when he'll pay for his impudence."

"Most of us get caught afore we're through life, Jim."

"I don't know why I'm doing this little service for you to-night, except
it be for the sake of our boyhood friendship. I am willing to suffer
this inconvenience----"

"It's mighty kind of you," cut in the Captain sharply. "But for once
that boyhood rot ain't going to help you none. It ain't going to let you
turn any more of them tricks of a black rascal simply because you pose
as a shining martyr. The way you've treated Mack McGowan----"

"If this conversation is to be about the minister, I shall save you the
trouble of speaking by going at once."

"It ain't no trouble for me to speak. What I've got to say does consarn
Mack a heap, and you'd best listen. When I finish you'll see that it's
best for him to stay right here in this church, if he wants to, after
all the mean low-down tricks you've served him."

"I shall not allow you to pick a quarrel. I regret that you are so much
inclined that way."

"You can keep all your regretting till later, you'll li