Pagina 9 van 416

"And Michael Burns, who was aboard of her, was the insurance

inspector, wasn't he?"

"Yes." The reply was more a groan than a spoken word. He laughed

harshly.

"I can see Nat Burns's hand in all this," he cried. "Why didn't I

think of it before? He will dog me till I die because his father

lost his life aboard my schooner. Oh, I had no idea it was as bad

as this!"

He sank down into the chair again and stared gloomily into the

fire.

"I'm glad I came to-night," he said at last. "I didn't know all

these things. How long has this talk been going round?"

"Not long, Code." Her voice was all sympathy. "It is simply the

result of brooding among our people who have so little in their

lives. I'm sorry. What will you do? Go away somewhere else?"

He looked at her quickly--scorn written upon his face.

"Go away," he repeated, "and admit my own guilt? Well, hardly.

I'll stay here and see this thing through if I have to do it in

the face of all of them."