Seite 380 von 416

As he talked the memory of the wrongs against him flamed in his

breast, and he directed his story at Nat, who sat silent and

immovable in the corner.

"If I found this aboard the Nettie it proves that he must have

come and got it!" he cried. "He boarded the old May, but it was

not for this that he came!"

"What, then?" asked Hardy.

"To damage the schooner so that she would break down under the

strain of the next race," flared Code, facing Nat dramatically.

Burns only clenched his jaws tighter on his cigar.

"You don't believe this, perhaps, squire, but listen and I'll

tell you how the old May sank." And once again he described the

crashing calamity aboard the overloaded boat as she struggled

home to Freekirk Head with the last of her strength.

"You, squire, you've sailed your boats in your time! You know

that never could have happened even to the old May unless

something had been done. And something was done! Burns had

weakened the topm'st and the mainstay!"