"Look here, Zekle Wynn," said Penelly; "there are times when I come down to the harbour, and into the boats, and go fishing with the men; but recollect, please, whom you are talking to." "Oh, I know who I'm talking to," said Zekle; "I ain't blind." "If you speak to me again like that I'll kick you out of the house. How dare you come in here and address me in this way?" "Where's your father?" said Zekle; "suppose I talk to him." "Go and talk to him, then; and mind how you speak, sir, or you'll get different treatment to that you receive from me." "All right, then!" said Zekle mockingly. "I shall go to him and tell him that, while I was busy shaking out fish in our boat to-night, young Harry Paul come swimming up, and our mas'r says, `Come aboard,' he says; but Mas'r Harry Paul he says, `No,' he says, `I shall swim round,' he says, and he swims round our boat." "Well, he knows that," said Penelly, looking at him strangely. "And then I'm going to tell him," continued Zekle, "that as soon as ever a certain person who was aboard our boat sees young Mas'r Harry coming, he goes and sits on the other side." "Yes, I did," said Penelly sharply. "Oh, you did, did you? You owns to that?" "Of course," replied Penelly scornfully. "What then?" "What then? Ah! I'll soon tell you what then," said Zekle. "You ups with an armful of net, and just as young Harry Paul comes round under you, you drops it on top of his head." "Hush!" Mark Penelly sprang at the speaker and clapped his hand over his lips. "I thought," said Zekle, freeing himself, "that it was only for a bit of mischief; I'd forgot all about young Mas'r Harry; but now I know as you did it to drown--" "Hush!" cried Penelly again hoarsely, and his face was like ashes. "I didn't; indeed I did not, Zekle." "Why, I see you with my own eyes," said the man. "Yes, I did drop the net over, but it was only out of mischief. I did not think it would do more than duck him well. I never thought it would be so dangerous. I meant it in fun." "But it _was_ dangerous," said Zekle with a grin; "and as people know you hate Mas'r Harry, they'll say you meant to mur--" "Hush!" cried Penelly again; and he clapped his hand once more upon the speaker's lips. "Oh, that won't stop me from speaking!" said Zekle. "I'm going to tell all I know, and it's my belief as they'll have you up, and bring it in 'tempt to kill young Mas'r Harry." "But you won't speak about it, Zekle," said Penelly imploringly. "But I just will," said Zekle, "and I come to ask you what they'll do to you for it. I don't want to tell, but you see it's 'bout my dooty." "I'll give you anything to be silent." "But I must tell," said Zekle, shaking his head; "it's my dooty to, and I wouldn't hold my tongue not for twenty pounds."