Natty, who had not quite got over the contempt of the American for the black race, would have replied in rather a fiery manner, but that Tamaroo gave him no time.
"Don't be angry, sir," he said. "All that I say is means to an end."
"Well, I believe Berry did make my father drink," admitted Denham, reluctantly. "He was always hovering round. But so was Anchor, for the matter of that. He drank also."
"And was Fairy Fan anywhere in the galley?" asked Eustace.
"Yes," said Tamaroo, who seemed to know the lady by that name. "She is the niece of Berry."
"Oh!" said Frank, "then she really is the niece?"
"Oh, certainly. The daughter of his sister, and a very wicked woman."
"You don't need to add that last," put in Eustace. "I know how she treated poor Anchor. But go on with the story."
"I must begin at the beginning, then," said Tamaroo, and cleared his throat. "I need not be very particular as to time," he said, "as the dates are all in the papers here. I'll just tell you the story as shortly as possible, and then you can read it at leisure for yourselves."
"That's all right," said Frank. "Go on. I am impatient."