.

forced, Captain. She asked me to give her friendly counsel. We are old acquaintances.”

      “I will not waste words. Give me her letter. She no longer requires your advice and counsel. I am going to act for her.”

      “You, Cap’n! Lor’ bless me! You don’t mean to say so!”

      “Yes. I will protect her against being pillaged. She is my housekeeper.”

      “But see! she is only executrix. She gets nothing out of the property.”

      “No—but her niece and nephew do. Take it that I act for them. Give me up her letter.”

      Mr. Scantlebray hesitated.

       “But, Cap’n, I’ve been to vast expense. I’ve entered into agreements——”

      “With whom?”

      “With carpenter and mason about the repairs.”

      “Give me the agreements.”

      “Not agreements exactly. They sent me in their estimates, and I accepted them, and set them to work.”

      “Give me the estimates.”

      Mr. Scantlebray flapped all his limbs, and shook his head.

      “You don’t suppose I carry these sort of things about with me?”

      “I have no doubt whatever they are in your pocket.” Scantlebray fidgeted.

      “Cap’n, try this port—a little going back, but not to be sneezed at.”

      Coppinger leaned forward through the window.

      “Who is that man with you?”

      “Mr. Cargreen.”

      “What is he here for?”

      “I am agent for the Reverend Mules, the newly appointed rector,” said Mr. Cargreen, with some dignity.

      “Then I request you both to step to the window to me.”

      The two men looked at each other. Scantlebray jumped up, and Cargreen followed. They stood in the window-bay at a respectful distance from Cruel Coppinger.

      “I suppose you know who I am?” said the latter, fixing his eyes on Cargreen.

      “I believe I can form a guess.”

      “And your duty to your client is to make out as bad a case as you can against the two children. They have had just one thousand pounds left them. You are going to get as much of that away from them as you are permitted.”

      “My good sir—allow me to explain——”

      “There is no need,” said Coppinger. “Suffice it that you are one side. I—Cruel Coppinger—on the other. Do you understand what that means?”