“Well, the thing is soon explained. I heard that a party of gambling youngsters were gathered at your house last night, and, knowing them to have more money than brains, I, Faulkner, and several others made up our minds to give you a call, so as to relieve them of a little of their spare cash. As we approached the house we heard you all high in oath.
“I rushed in at the doorway, but was fiercely beaten back by several gallants.
“I gave the word to my men to fall on the enemy without mercy.
“Just at that moment I perceived your wife hurrying downstairs, the way being led by one of her many lovers.”
“Many lovers?” said Redgill; “surely you do not mean to insinuate that my wife is a strumpet and——”
“Never mind about wasting more breath about her, Redgill,” said Captain Jack; “because if you don’t know her character, I do, and have done so long ago.”
“What!”
“Nay, nay; get not so hot, but let me continue with my story. Directly I gave the word to my men they each singled out a customer, and we fought desperately with our knives in the entrance-hall; the place was too small for the proper use of our swords, so I am sorry to say,” said Captain Jack, with a laugh, “that we had to cut the throats of one or two in the entrance hall (see Cut in No. 10), but it was all fair play. They didn’t know us, you see, so it don’t much matter. We quickly threw their bodies into the river, and they are food for the fish.”
“But my wife?” said Phillip surprised.
“Your wife, eh? she seems to give you much trouble all at once.”