Pearl sprang upon the forward deck, and rushed towards Dory. The boy did not take kindly to this proceeding. He dodged around the foremast, and leaped down into the standing-room. "Captain Gildrock, this boat belongs to Dory, and Hawlinshed has taken her from him by force," interposed the detective. "My nephew stole the money with which he bought her," added Captain Gildrock. "I don't think he owns her any more than I do." "You are mistaken, sir. I don't know where your nephew got the money with which he bought this boat, but the charge made against him in Plattsburgh is not a true bill. I came over here to arrest Hawlinshed, and that is the reason why I am a prisoner in this coop at this moment." "You have no right to arrest me in the State of Vermont," protested Pearl, standing on the forward deck. "Captain Gildrock, this is a conspiracy. I had a little difficulty with my father, and this is a trumped-up charge to get me back to Plattsburgh." This was an entirely new presentation of the case, and Captain Gildrock was confused by the differing statements. "I am not disposed to interfere in this business. I came for my nephew, and I was astonished and surprised to hear that he was accused of robbery. All I want is my nephew." "If you are willing to assist a robber to escape into Canada, Captain Gildrock, I have nothing further to say," said Peppers. "If you take your nephew away and leave things as you find them, that will be just what you will do." "Of course, I don't mean to render assistance to any fugitive from justice," replied the captain, more perplexed than ever. "If you will let us out of this place, I will prove to your satisfaction that Hawlinshed is a robber," added the detective. "And I can prove that I am the victim of a conspiracy," protested Pearl. "I can prove it by Dory Dornwood, if he will only speak the truth, which he never does, except by accident." "I am sorry to hear such bad stories about my nephew," added the captain. "I have been told that he was wild, and was going to ruin." "He can't deny that he had a talk with my father," said Pearl; "and my father and I don't agree very well." Dory thought they didn't agree at all, but he determined not to say a word on the forbidden topic. He had made up his mind in the beginning not to go on board of the Sylph, and the present aspect of things made him more decided than before. If his uncle and Pearl decided that he should go into one of the boats, he meant to jump into the water, and wade to the shore. Captain Gildrock was silent, looking from the officer in the cuddy to Pearl. He was considering what he should do. Peppers thought it was a plain case. He desired the visitor to act for himself, after he had looked the case over, and listened to the facts.