"It is all settled in regard to your letter; and you have been to Rockland, Bar Harbor, and down into the provinces, for aught I know."
"No, I haven't. I was in St. John—let me see—two years ago; and I haven't been there since. You seem to think I have business down in the provinces, squire."
"I don't know anything at all about your business, captain. But they say that a great deal of brandy finds its way into the States without paying any duties," chuckled the squire.
"You don't mean to say that I have anything to do with bringing it in—do you, Squire Gilfilian?" demanded the captain, who seemed to be damaged in his feelings by the lawyer's thrust.
"Certainly not."
"Because you have just proved that I have not."
"Hardly; only failed to prove that you have. But the letter, captain. Bobtail says you were here when he brought it into the office."
"I was here, squire," answered the captain, dropping into an arm-chair.