"Mr. Beauchamp's conscience was a darned sight cleaner nor yourn, Captain Jean, but you had the whip-hand of him, as all those in Jamaica thought he'd murdered Munseer Achille, from them quarreling about him coming after his wife. But master didn't do it--I swear he didn't! More like you did it yourself," added Joe, with a look of contempt, "though I dare say you ain't man enough to stick a knife into any one."
Alan thought for a few minutes, then turned to Lestrange.
"I think you must see that you have failed all round," he said quietly. "Your plot to pass as Miss Marlow's father is of no use now. The accusation against me is not worth considering, as I have shown. If necessary, I can defend myself. On the whole, Captain Lestrange, you had better go back to Jamaica."
"Not without my price," said the adventurer.
"Ah, blackmail! Well, I always thought that was at the bottom of it all. A man with clean hands and honorable intentions would not have joined hands with a confessed rogue like Cicero Gramp. But may I ask on what grounds you demand money?"
"I can prove that Beauchamp killed my cousin."
"What good will that do? Beauchamp is dead, and beyond your malice."
"Ay, that he is," said Joe approvingly. "He's gone where you won't get him. I reckon you'll go the other way when your time comes, you blasted swab!"
Lestrange, writhing under these insults, jumped up and poured out a volley of abuse, which the seaman bore quite unmoved.
"I'll not go without my money," he raged, "and a good sum, too, otherwise I shall see the girl----"