"I sometimes get those dizzy spells," said Bumstead. "They come on me without warning. When they do come I don't know what I am doing for the minute."
"You should have told me of this before," said Captain Carter.
"I—er—I was afraid I'd lose my job if I did. But I was confused, I swear I was. Otherwise, I should never have run into that other boat."
They had to let it go at that, since there was no direct proof of any intentional desire to smash into the Mermaid, and the charge was too grave to take any chances on. But it was satisfactorily proved that the mate did give the wrong signals, and that Nat was not to blame.
"Now that is over, we have another matter against you," went on Mr. Weatherby. "I presume you know what it is, Bumstead."
"Yes," said the other in a low voice.
"Nat, go ashore and call an officer," said the pilot.
"Don't do that!" begged the mate. "I'll confess everything, and I'll pay the money back with interest."
"Then you admit that you kept the fifteen hundred dollars you were to deliver to Mr. Morton's son?"
"Yes. It was a great temptation, after I cashed the lumber certificates. I needed the money badly, and I kept it. I meant to pay it back, but I—I couldn't."