"Mrs Hyland," said Wilton, after a short interval of silence, "I have called here to do what I believe to be a duty, and which I ought to have done long ago. If I am doing any wrong, it is only through my ignorance of what's right. I was your husband's friend, and we sailed together, for nine years or thereabouts. I was on the ship `Lenore' when Captain Hyland died, in New Orleans; and I have heard the stories that Mr Adkins here has told about this young man. Those stories are false. When in New Orleans, at the time of your husband's death, Adkins was most of the time drunk, and neglecting his duty. Rowley did not desert from the ship, neither did he neglect the captain, but was the only one of the ship's company with him, or taking care of him, when he died. Mr Adkins never liked Rowley; and the only reason I can think of for his not doing so, is just because it is natural for a bad man to dislike a good one. When Mr Adkins obtained the command of the ship, he would not let Rowley come aboard again--much less return in her to Liverpool. I made one voyage with Adkins as first mate after Captain Hyland's death, and learnt, while making it, that I could not continue with him any longer--unless I should become nearly as bad as himself. For that reason I left the ship. "Mrs Hyland!" continued Wilton, fixing his eye upon Adkins, and speaking with determined emphasis, "I have no hesitation in pronouncing Mr Adkins to be a wicked, deceitful man, who has been robbing you under the cloak of friendship; and still continues to rob you." "These men have formed a conspiracy to ruin me!" cried Adkins, springing to his feet. "I suppose they will succeed in doing it. Three men and one woman are more than I can contend against!" Mrs Hyland paid no attention to this remark; but, turning to Mason, said, "I believe that you are Mr Mason, the steward of the `Lenore.' What have you to say?" "I have to state that all Mr Wilton has told you, is true," said Mason. "Rowley, to my knowledge, has never done anything to forfeit your friendship. I have long known that Captain Adkins was a scoundrel; and my desire to expose him--overcome by the fact that I have a large family to support, and was afraid of losing my situation--has caused me to pass many a sleepless hour. I had made up my mind not to go another voyage along with him--before learning that my testimony was wanted in aid of Rowley here. On hearing that he had robbed the young man--not only of his old friends, but of his liberty--I no longer hesitated about exposing him. He is a dishonest villain; and I can prove it by having the ship's accounts overhauled." "Go on! go on!" cried Adkins. "You have it all your own way now. Of course, my word is nothing." "He is telling the truth for once in his life," said Mason to Mrs Hyland. "For his word _is_ just worth nothing, to any one who knows him." "Now, Rowland," said Mrs Hyland, "what have you to say?"