The Judge looked at his companions and shook his head as if the conundrum was beyond his guessing. Captain Shad groaned.
“By fire!” he ejaculated. “All hands have gone loony, young-ones and all. And,” with conviction, “I'm on the road myself.”
Zoeth Hamilton stepped forward and held out his hands.
“Come here, dearie,” he said, gently; “come here and tell me all about it. Neither me nor the Cap'n's goin' to hurt you a mite. We like little girls, both of us do. Now you come and tell me about it.”
Mary-'Gusta's sobs ceased. She looked at the speaker doubtfully.
“Come, don't be scared,” begged Zoeth. “We're goin' to be good friends to you. We knew your father and he thought everything of us. You ain't goin' to be afraid of folks that was your Pa's chums. You come here and let's talk it over.”
Slowly Mary-'Gusta crossed the room. Zoeth sat down upon an empty box near the door and lifted the girl to his knee.
“Now you ain't afraid of me, be you?” he asked quietly.
Mary-'Gusta shook her head, but her big eyes were fixed upon Captain Shadrach's face.
“No-o,” she faltered. “I—I guess I ain't. But you wasn't the one I did it to. It was him.”