"Then you believe him instead of me?" asked Nat faintly.
"I must say that I do."
"But I never had those cigarettes."
"The evidence is against you. What object would Sam have in putting them into your pocket? That is a question you cannot answer satisfactorily."
"I believe he wanted to injure me because I got this place that his uncle wanted for him."
"Nonsense! I have a better place in view for my nephew," said the mate. "He will take it as soon as this voyage for his health is ended."
"As for traveling for his health, I wouldn't advise him to smoke any more cigarettes," remarked the captain dryly, "no matter who gives them to him."
"I'll not," promised Sam eagerly, congratulating himself on the success of his plot.
"No, I'll see that he does not," added his uncle.
Poor Nat did not know what to do or say. Mr. Dunn had slipped out of the cabin. The purser was sorry for what had happened, and most of all he regretted his inability to help Nat, for though he could not testify to it in a way to carry conviction, he was sure in his own mind of what had happened.