That evening, for the first time in his life, Captain Nugent, after some deliberation, called upon his late mate. The old servant who, since Mrs. Hardy’s death the year before, had looked after the house, was out, and Hardy, unaware of the honour intended him, was scandalized by the manner in which his son received the visitor. The door opened, there was an involuntary grunt from Master Hardy, and the next moment he sped along the narrow passage and darted upstairs. His father, after waiting in vain for his return, went to the door himself. “Good evening, cap’n,” he said, in surprise. Nugent responded gruffly, and followed him into the sitting-room. To an invitation to sit, he responded more gruffly still that he preferred to stand. He then demanded instant and sufficient punishment of Master Hardy for frightening his daughter. Even as he spoke he noticed with strong disfavour the change which had taken place in his late first officer. The change which takes place when a man is promoted from that rank to that of master is subtle, but unmistakable—sometimes, as in the present instance, more unmistakable than subtle. Captain Hardy coiled his long, sinewy form in an arm-chair and, eyeing him calmly, lit his pipe before replying. “Boys will fight,” he said, briefly. “I’m speaking of his running after my daughter,” said Nugent, sternly. Hardy’s eyes twinkled. “Young dog,” he said, genially; “at his age, too.” [Illustration: “Captain Hardy lit his pipe before replying.”] Captain Nugent’s face was suffused with wrath at the pleasantry, and he regarded him with a fixed stare. On board the _Conqueror_ there was a witchery in that glance more potent than the spoken word, but in his own parlour the new captain met it calmly. “I didn’t come here to listen to your foolery,” said Nugent; “I came to tell you to punish that boy of yours.” “And I sha’n’t do it,” replied the other. “I have got something better to do than interfere in children’s quarrels. I haven’t got your spare time, you know.” Captain Nugent turned purple. Such language from his late first officer was a revelation to him. “I also came to warn you,” he said, furiously, “that I shall take the law into my own hands if you refuse.” “Aye, aye,” said Hardy, with careless contempt; “I’ll tell him to keep out of your way. But I should advise you to wait until I have sailed.” Captain Nugent, who was moving towards the door, swung round and confronted him savagely. “What do you mean?” he demanded. “What I say,” retorted Captain Hardy. “I don’t want to indulge Sunwich with the spectacle of two middle-aged ship-masters at fisticuffs, but that’s what’ll happen if you touch my boy. It would probably please the spectators more than it would us.” “I’ll cane him the first time I lay hands on him,” roared Captain Nugent.