Jack had spoken throughout in the ready, unembarrassed manner of one who tells a true tale. But never in all my life had I seen him so quiet and subdued. He was like one who has some great care upon him. The other hearers, not knowing Jack as I knew him, would not notice this; though I cannot answer for it that one of them did not James Freeman. He never took his eyes off Jack all the while; peered at him as if he were a curiosity. It was not an open stare; more of a surreptitious one, taken stealthily from under his eyebrows. Some testimony as to Pym's movements that afternoon was obtained from Mrs. Ball, the lawyer having already been to Woburn Place to get it. She said that young Pym came to her house between five and six o'clock nearer six than five, she thought, and seemed very much put out and disappointed to find Miss Verena Fontaine had left for her own home. He spoke of the ship's having sprung a leak and put back again, but he believed she would get out again on the morrow. Mrs. Ball did not notice that he had been drinking; but one of her servants met him in the street after he left the house, heard him swearing to himself, and saw him turn into a public-house. If he remained in it until the time he next appeared in Ship Street, his state then was not to be wondered at. This was about all that had been gathered at present. A great deal of talking took place, but no opinion was expressed by anybody. Time enough for that when the jury met on the morrow. As we were turning out of the back-room, the meeting over, Mr. Freeman put his hand upon Jack, to detain him. Jack, in his turn, detained me. "Captain Tanerton," he said, in a grave whisper, "do you remember making a remark to me not long ago, in this, my private room--that if we persisted in sending Pym out with you in the ship, there would be murder committed?" "I believe I do," said Jack, quietly. "They were foolish words, and meant nothing." "I do not like to remember them," pursued Mr. Freeman. "As things have turned out, it would have been better that you had not used them." "Perhaps so," answered Jack. "They have done no harm, that I know of." "They have been singularly verified. The man has been murdered." "Not on board the _Rose of Delhi_." "No. Off it." "I should rather call it death by misadventure," said Jack, looking calmly at the broker. "At the worst, done in a scuffle; possibly in a fall." "Most people, as I think you will find, will call it murder, Captain Tanerton." "I fear they will." Mr. Freeman stood before Jack, waiting--at least it struck me so--to hear him add, "But I did not commit it"--or words to that effect. I waited too. Jack never spoke them: he remained silent and still. Since the past day his manner had changed. All the light-hearted ease had gone out of it; the sunny temperament seemed exchanged for one of thought and gloom. * * * * * Fine tidings to travel down to Timberdale!