"Why, no, sir," said I, "I did not."
Mr. Elliott said "Humph!" and another short space of silence followed, during which he played absently with the leaves of my report.
"But tell me, Captain Mackra," said he, presently, "did you not speak to any one of your suspicions concerning Captain Leach after he had quitted the ship on the night of the 21st in such a mysterious manner?"
"Why, no, sir," said I; "for I saw no sufficient grounds to accuse him of any underhand practices."
"And yet," said a thin, middle-aged gentleman, with a sharp voice, whom I afterwards found to be Mr. McFarland—"and yet you saw him quit the Cassandra in a most suspicious manner, and under the most suspicious circumstances, and also had reason to suspect him of having knowledge of the jewel. Why, then, did you not examine him publicly or put him under arrest after he returned?"
"Sir," said I, "I disliked Captain Leach, and feared that my prejudice might lead me astray."
"But, Captain Mackra," said the Governor, "your personal feelings should never interfere with your duty."
I knew not where all these matters tended, but I began to be mightily troubled in my mind concerning them. However, I had little time for thought, for Mr. Elliott began questioning me again. He asked me if I had told any one of my intended visit to the pirate-ship, of whom I had seen there, and of what inducements I had offered to persuade them to give me one of their crafts and return such a quantity of the Company's goods. He cross-questioned me so keenly in regard to the last point that I found myself tripping more than once, for it is mightily difficult to remember all of the petty details even of such an important event as that. I believe that I answered more loosely than I otherwise would have done from the agitation into which I was cast by the serious shape which matters seemed to be taking.
"Sir," I cried to Mr. Elliott, "do you blame me for getting back so much of the Company's goods as I was able?"
"I blame you for nothing, Captain Mackra," said he. "I merely question you in regard to a matter of great importance."