"I will tell you all about it, sir," replied Peppers, taking this duty upon himself.
"I shall be glad to know, for the skipper of the boat has behaved in the most unaccountable manner."
Dory had retreated to the forward deck again when his uncle came on board, though the captain did not seem to be such a terrible man as one might have supposed from the conduct of his nephew. He desired to keep as far as possible from his uncle.
"I wish you would let me out of this place before I tell the story," suggested the detective.
"Why don't you come out if you wish to do so?" asked Captain Gildrock.
"We are locked in. Hawlinshed took the key away from Dory Dornwood by force, and has kept us prisoners ever since. It isn't a bad place; but it is rather confined for a long stay," added Peppers.
"But I didn't lock them in there," added Pearl. "That was done by Dory."
"Have you the key?" asked the captain, turning to Pearl.
"If you want your nephew, there he is, Captain Gildrock," replied Pearl, pointing to the forward deck. "I don't think you have any right to interfere with my affairs. I will put Dory Dornwood into one of your boats, and you can take him away with you."
"All I want is my nephew; and I don't intend to meddle with what don't concern me," said Captain Gildrock.