"I see." The doctor drank the water thoughtfully. "Did—er—I mean, I think I have seen the two young people. They don't seem to resemble each other very much."
"Well, you see, da aint persackly brother an' sister."
"No?" and the surgeon raised his heavy eyebrows as if in surprise.
"No, sah. Massah Jack is only de 'dopted son ob de late colonel."
"Ah, is that really so? A—er—nephew, perhaps?"
"No, he aint no kin to de Ruthvens. He was washed ashoah from a wrack ten or 'leben years ago. I wouldn't tell dis, only it has become public property durin' de las' two weeks."
Dr. Mackey started back. "Ha! I have found the boy at last!" he muttered to himself, as he began to walk the floor.
"What did you say, sah?"
"It's quite like a romance, my man. I should like to hear more of the boy's story."
"Dere aint much to tell, massah. It blowed great guns durin' dat storm. De passengers an' crew was washed ashoah from de wrack, but de only ones wot came to de beach alive was Massah Jack an' his poor dear mother."