BARTLETT--[_Takes a folded piece of paper from his pocket and spreads it out on the table in the light of the lantern--pointing with his finger--mumblingly._] Where the cross be--ye’ll not forget that, Silas Horne. Ye had a copy o’ this--no chance for a mistake, bullies--the gold’s there, restin’ safe--back to me and we’ll share it fair and square. A year ago today--ye remember the orders I wrote ye, Horne. [_Threateningly._] Ye’ll not be gone more nor a year or I’ll--and if ye make port to home here at night, hang a red and a green light at the mainm’st head so I’ll see ye comin.’ A red and a green---- [_He springs up suddenly and goes to a porthole to look out at the sea--disappointedly._] No light be there--but they’ll come. The year be up today and ye’ve got to come or I’ll---- [_He sinks back on the chair, his head in his hands. Suddenly he starts and stares straight in front of him as if he saw something in the air--with angry defiance._] Aye, there ye be again--the two o’ ye! Makin’ a mock o’ me! Brass and junk, ye say, not worth a damn! Ye don’t believe, do ye? I’ll show ye! [_He springs to his feet and makes a motion as if grabbing someone by the throat and shaking them--savagely._] Ye lie! Is it gold or no? Answer me! [_With a mocking laugh._] Aye, ye own up to it now, right enough. Too late, ye swabs! No share for ye! [_He sinks back on the chair again--after a pause, dully._] Jimmy’s gone. Let them rot. But I spoke no word, Silas Horne, remember! [_Then in a tone of fear._] Be ye dyin’, Sarah? No, ye must live--live to see your ship come home with the gold--and I’ll buy ye all in the world ye set your heart on. No, not ambergris, Sarah--gold and diamonds and sech! We’re rich at last! [_Then with great anguish._] What woman’s stubborn talk be this? Confess, ye say? But I spoke no word, I swear to ye! Why will ye hound me and think evil o’ what I done? Men’s business, I tell ye. They would have killed us and stolen the gold, can’t ye see? [_Wildly._] Enough o’ talk, Sarah! I’ll sail out in spite o’ ye! [_He gets to his feet and paces up and down the room. The door in the rear is opened and_ NAT _re-enters. He glances at his father, then looks down the stairs behind him cautiously to see if he is followed. He comes in and closes the door behind him carefully._] NAT--[_In a low voice._] Pa! [_Then as his father does not appear to notice his presence--louder._] Pa! BARTLETT--[_Stops short and stares at his son as if he were gradually awakening from a dream--slowly._] Be that ye, Nat? NAT--[_Coming forward._] Yes. I want to talk with you. BARTLETT--[_Struggling to bring his thoughts under control._] Talk? Ye want to talk--to me? Men’s business--no room for a boy in it--keep clear o’ this. NAT--[_Defiantly._] That’s what you’ve always said. But I won’t be put off any longer. I won’t, do you hear?