"I'm glad you've come, Luke," he said, with something that sounded like a sigh. "The doctor tells me I cannot last long."
"Oh, Uncle Felix!"
"Never mind, it is for the best. I have done wrong, and death is better than public disgrace. Did you come alone?"
"No, sir; Mr. Mason is with me."
"Mason!"
"Yes, sir; I asked him to come with me. He is to be my lawyer if I am arrested."
"Do not fear; you will not be. I own up; that money was not stolen. I was afraid you had brought with you the officers of the law. Do you know anything of this—this Spitfire affair?"
"I know all about it. I was on board the vessel when she burned."
"You!"
My uncle was greatly astonished, and he finally persuaded me to tell my story. When I had concluded he asked me to call up Mr. Mason, and I did so.