The captain vaguely remembered Kent's disclosure to him concerning his appointment as administrator of his aunt's estate. He had not exchanged a word with the young man since the evening of the latter's call and Elizabeth's interruption. It seemed a long while ago. Much--and so much that was unpleasant--had happened since then. Kent and he had met, of course, and on the first two or three occasions, Kendrick had spoken. The young fellow had not replied. Now, at the mention of his name, Kendrick felt an uneasy pang, almost of guilt. He had done nothing wrong, of course yet if it had not been for him perhaps the two young people might still have been friends or even more than friends. It was true that Elizabeth had told him but there, what difference did it make what she told him? She had told him other things since, things that he could not forget. "Well, all right, Judah," he said. "It wasn't important. Run along." Judah did not run along. He remained, looking at his lodger with a troubled expression. The latter noticed it. "What is it, Judah?" he asked. "Anything wrong?" Mr. Cahoon's fingers moved uneasily through the heavy foliage upon his chin. "Why--why, Cap'n Sears," he stammered, "can I ask you somethin'?" "Certain. Fire away." "Well--well--it--it ain't true, is it, that you done anything to set Elizabeth Berry against that young Kent feller? You never told her nothin'--or did nothin'--or--or----" He seemed to find it hard to finish his sentence. The captain did not wait, but asked a question of his own. "Who said I did, Judah?" he asked. "Hey?... Oh, I--I don't know. Why--why, some of them sculpin'-mouths down to the store they say that you--that you told Elizabeth a lot of things--or did somethin' or 'nother to spite George with her. Of course _I_ knew 'twan't so, but--but----" "But they said it was, eh? Well, it isn't true. I haven't done anything of that kind, Judah." The Cahoon fist descended upon the kitchen table with a thump. "I knew it!" roared Judah. "I knew dum well 'twas a cargo of lies. Now just wait. Let one of them swabs just open his main hatch and start to unload another passel of that cargo. If I don't----" "Shh, shh! Don't do that. I tell you what to do. If you want to help me, Judah, you say nothin', but try and find out who told them these things. Some one has been pretty busy tellin' things to my discredit for some time. Don't let any one know what you're after, but see if you can find out who is responsible. Will you?" "Sartin sure I will. And when I do find out----" "When you do, let me know. And Judah, one thing more: Find out all that you can find out about this Phillips man. See if he owes anybody money. See if he pays his debts. See if he--well, find out all you can about him; but don't let any one know you're tryin' to find out, that's all. Do you understand?"