"I filed the Gibraltar bills and papers early this morning, and I saw no such paper among them," added Felix, who was the captain's clerk.
"But the trade was not closed till the middle of the forenoon, and you did not see the bill of sale Chickworth must have given to the commander."
"That's so; I didn't think of that."
"I see you, Scott!" shouted the Pacha. "You ran away with Felipe, and stole the steam-launch!"
"That is bringing it home to Felipe and me," said the captain, with an attempt to laugh off the charge; but it was not altogether a success. "That's a lie, which you know as well as I do, Louis."
"Assuredly it is not the truth, and I know that you did not run away with Felipe, for we captured you at Funchal in your Moorish uniform."
"Though Felipe worked for the Pacha at the same time I did, I never even saw him till we met on board of this boat on the voyage from Madeira to Tarifa," protested Scott, who was evidently not a little disturbed by the accusation of the distinguished Moor.
"So I have heard you say before."
"And so Felipe will say. At the same time it is an awkward charge to be accused of stealing the steamer," protested the captain.
"That is true; and if you should be arrested and taken to Tangier, the Pacha would have it all his own way, and you would certainly be convicted. I doubt if they would even give you the form of a trial. But there is an American consul here, and he could make a good deal of trouble for the Moroccan."