"Evan saw it on the forks," Mrs. Holl explained.
"Yes, no doubt he did," Captain Bayley said; "but what of that? That's my crest."
"Yes, sir, so Evan said, and when he told me it just knocked me silly like, and says I to him, says I——"
"Never mind what you said to him," Captain Bayley broke in, "what is it you want to say to me? What is there curious in my crest being on my spoons? Now just wait one minute, and tell me as plainly as you can."
Mrs. Holl waited a minute.
"Well, sir, it struck me all in a heap, because I've got in the house a thing with just such another hand, a-holding of a knife in it."
"Oh!" Captain Bayley said, "you have got some article with my crest on it in your house. How did you come by it? It must have been stolen."
"No, sir, I will take my davey as the young person as was my son Harry's mother never stole nothing in her life."
"The young person who was your son Harry's mother," Captain Bayley repeated, in a somewhat puzzled tone. "Are you talking of yourself?"
"Lor' no, sir, the young person."