Dean preceded Kirby into the cabin, and sat down on a stool while the two men were eating. Gradually they dropped into conversation, and Dean listened with curious interest.
"So you saw the captain, Kirby?" asked Dan.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"He lives in an obscure country place, buried alive, as I call it. It is for the sake of his family, he says."
"What family has he?"
"A wife and son—the last as like his father as two peas—the same ugly tusks, and long, oval face. Between the two I prefer the captain. The boy puts on no end of airs."
"Does he know——"
"Not a word. He thinks his father a gentleman of wealth and high birth, and holds his head high, I can tell you."
"Does that boy know him?" asked Dan, with a jerk of the head towards Dean.