When he had concluded, Captain Ogilvy heaved a sigh so deep that it might have been almost considered a groan, then he sat down on his armchair, and, pointing to the chair from which the widow had recently risen, said, "Sit down, lad."
As he advanced to comply, Spink's eyes for the first time fell on the case of jewels. He started, paused, and looked with a troubled air at the captain.
"Ha!" exclaimed the latter with a grin; "you seem to know these things; old acquaintances, eh!"
"It wasna' me that stole them," said Spink hastily.
"I did not say that anyone stole them."
"Weel, I mean that—that——"
He stopped abruptly, for he felt that in whatever way he might attempt to clear himself, he would unavoidably criminate, by implication, his absent mate.
"I know what you mean, my lad; sit down."
Spink sat down on the edge of the chair, and looked at the other uneasily.
"Have a cup of tea?" said the captain abruptly, seizing the small pot and pouring out a cupful.