[Illustration: GUNN PLACED A HAND, WHICH LACKED TWO FINGERS ON HIS BREAST AND BOWED AGAIN.] He rose and made a clumsy bow as a girl of eighteen, after a moment's hesitation at the door, crossed over to the innkeeper. "I'm busy, my dear," said the latter, somewhat sternly. "Our business," said Gunn, with another bow, "is finished. Is this your daughter, Rog-- Mullet?" "My stepdaughter," was the reply. Gunn placed a hand, which lacked two fingers, on his breast, and bowed again. "One of your father's oldest friends," he said smoothly; "and fallen on evil days; I'm sure your gentle heart will be pleased to hear that your good father has requested me--for a time--to make his house my home." "Any friend of my father's is welcome to me, sir," said the girl, coldly. She looked from the innkeeper to his odd-looking guest, and conscious of something strained in the air, gave him a little bow and quitted the room. "You insist upon staying, then?" said Mullet, after a pause. "More than ever," replied Gunn, with a leer toward the door. "Why, you don't think I'm _afraid,_ Captain? You should know me better than that." "Life is sweet," said the other. "Ay," assented Gunn, "so sweet that you will share things with me to keep it." "No," said the other, with great calm. "I am man enough to have a better reason." "No psalm singing," said Gunn, coarsely. "And look cheerful, you old buccaneer. Look as a man should look who has just met an old friend never to lose him again." He eyed his man expectantly and put his hand to his pocket again, but the innkeeper's face was troubled, and he gazed stolidly at the fire. "See what fifteen years' honest, decent life does for us," grinned the intruder. The other made no reply, but rising slowly, walked to the door without a word. "Landlord," cried Gunn, bringing his maimed hand sharply down on the table. The innkeeper turned and regarded him. "Send me in some supper," said Gunn; "the best you have, and plenty of it, and have a room prepared. The best." The door closed silently, and was opened a little later by the dubious George coming in to set a bountiful repast. Gunn, after cursing him for his slowness and awkwardness, drew his chair to the table and made the meal of one seldom able to satisfy his hunger. He finished at last, and after sitting for some time smoking, with his legs sprawled on the fender, rang for a candle and demanded to be shown to his room. His proceedings when he entered it were but a poor compliment to his host. Not until he had poked and pried into every corner did he close the door. Then, not content with locking it, he tilted a chair beneath the handle, and placing his pistol beneath his pillow, fell fast asleep.