hat my nephew is guilty?" asked the mate.

"I don't know that I care to express an opinion," was Mr. Weatherby's
answer. "From what I know of him I should say I think your nephew
might be guilty. I know he smokes cigarettes."

"I used to," interrupted Sam, "but I've stopped."

"Your hands don't bear out that assertion," said the pilot quietly, as
he pointed to the tell-tale yellow stains on Sam's fingers. "I am
inclined to think you smoke pretty steadily yet."

The red-haired youth had no answer to make to this.

"Do you dare to accuse my nephew?" demanded Mr. Bumstead.

"I said I didn't care to accuse any one," replied Mr. Weatherby. "I
only said I believe Nat innocent, and if he is discharged I leave
also."

"I think you are taking an unfair advantage of me," said Captain
Marshall. "You know I need your services for some time yet."

"Well, you know how to retain them."

"How?"

"By not unjustly discharging Nat."

"I don't think I was acting unjustly."

"I do."

The captain was plainly disturbed. He knew he could not well get along
without the pilot, yet he did not like to have to give in to Nat's
claim of innocence. To do Captain Marshall justice, though he was
quick-tempered, he really believed Nat at fault, chiefly on account of
Mr. Dunn's failure to give the proper testimony at the investigation.
So with no very good humor he had to change his orders.

"Very well," he said rather sourly. "I'll not discharge Nat, though I
believe him guilty."

"That will not do," insisted Mr. Weatherby. "If you believe him guilty
you must discharge him."

"But if I do, you'll go, and I will be without a pilot."

"That is true, but there is another alternative."

"What is it?"

"You can say that at least there is a chance Nat is not guilty. He
should, I think, be given the benefit of the doubt."

"Very well. I'll admit that," replied the captain stiffly, for he did
not like to be dictated to.

"I believe that is all, then," went on Mr. Weatherby. "I suppose Nat
may go back to the purser's office?"

The captain nodded. He was in an exceedingly bad humor. He felt that
his position as captain of the ship was at stake. He had incurred the
enmity of the mate, who was a part owner, and he felt that Mr.
Weatherby, who was a member of the company owning the vessel, had no
very friendly feelings toward him. Still, there was nothing else the
commander could do.

"I'll get square with you yet," muttered Sam as Nat