Captain Conyngham ordered him to step forward, and he handed the nails and ax to Mr. Jarvis, who stood wonderingly by his side.
“Higgins,” asked Captain Conyngham sternly, “do you know what I want these for?”
“No, sir.”
The man was pale, but over his face there flickered a smile of affected amusement or bravado.
“I’ll show you.—McCarthy, step up here.”
The two men stood before him.
“Now, Higgins,” said Conyngham sternly, “I’ll tell you what I wanted the nails and ax for. I wanted to nail the lies that you are going to tell me.”
The man began to protest feebly, and the captain stopped him.
“What were you saying just as that cutter came within hailing distance?”
“I was saying nothing, sir.”