Wishing to learn the result of this second interview I crept forward and without hesitation established myself beside the door, which the red-beard had carelessly left ajar. I even ventured to peer curiously through the opening; but neither of the men observed my intrusion.
The Major for a moment stood staring with the same wondering gaze he had bestowed on Captain Gay the day before; but suddenly his face brightened and he said:
“By Jupiter! I’ve struck it at last!”
“Struck what?” asked the Captain, looking up.
“The resemblance that bothered me. You’re the living image of that man Daggett, who caused us that trouble on the island. It’s a wonder I never noticed it before.”
The Captain flushed, but said nothing.
“No relation, I hope?” queried the Major, grinning.
“To Daggett?”
“Yes; the scoundrel who stole our gold.”
Captain Gay had resumed his writing, but said, lightly, as if the matter was too preposterous to be treated seriously: