"What, with or without my permission?"
Mr. Green stared, for his mind was precisely one of those which would conceive it to be a high act of audacity in a ci-devant colonist to claim the rights of an old country, even did he really understand the legality and completeness of the separation.
"He has committed forgery, sir, to conceal his peculation. It is an awful crime; but they that commit it cannot hope to escape the consequences."
"Miserable impostor! is this true!" Captain Truck sternly demanded of the trembling culprit.
"He calls an oversight forgery, sir," returned the latter huskily. "I have done nothing to affect my life or liberty."
At this moment Captain Ducie, accompanied by Paul Powis, entered the cabin, their faces flushed, and their manner to each other a little disturbed, though it was formally courteous. At the same instant, Mr. Dodge, who had been dying to be present at the secret conference, watched his opportunity to slip in also.
"I am glad you have come, sir," said Mr. Green, "for here may be occasion for the services of his Majesty's officers. Mr. Sandon has given up these bills, but two thousand pounds remain unaccounted for, and I have traced thirty-five, quite clearly, to the master of this ship, who has received it in the way of passage-money."
"Yes, sir, the fact is as plain as the highlands of Navesink from the deck," drily added Captain Truck.
"One thousand of this money has been returned by the defaulter's sister," observed Captain Ducie.
"Very true, sir; I had forgotten to give him credit for that."