"Ashton?—Ashton?" interrupted the captain; "are you the gentleman who was to have sailed with us—who telegraphed for a cabin berth, and was not forthcoming when we dropped down the river?"
"I am the same, sir."
"What came of you? How did you disappear?"
"I was a victim to the foulest treachery and cowardice!"
"At the hands of whom?" asked Mr. Basset.
"Cramply Hawkshaw."
"What! he whom Gawthrop bit in the dark?"
"Bit, that I might know him again, your honour, for I warn't strong enough to grapple with him."
"And who, he says, attempted to strangle you in your sleep?" asked Dr. Heriot, coming forward.
"Hawkshaw here! on board with you—with her!" said Morley, in a faint voice, as certain undefinable, but terrible, suspicions arose in his mind.