‘Certainly not,’ said Grigg; ‘couldn’t have been. Sea don’t give up its dead. Eh, what is it, child?’ Topsy was fidgeting on her chair and whispering to her aunt. ‘Speak out, child,’ said Grigg. ‘Speak out, little one,’ said Limpet; ‘the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth—so help—beg pardon—of course not. Speak the truth, child; what is it?’ ‘Please, sir,’ stammered Topsy, very red and shamefaced, ‘perhaps it were the Judgment-day.’ Grigg looked at Limpet, and Limpet looked at Grigg. As a lady, Topsy fell to Grigg’s share. ‘Judgment-day, eh? Ridiculous—queer notion, eh? What d’ye mean, child?’ ‘Please, sir, it says in the Bible that the sea will give up its dead at the Judgment-day.’ ‘Ah!—of course—good girl. Always remember Bible—queer notion. But it isn’t the Judgment-day yet—at least, I hope not—eh, Mr. Limpet?’ Mr. Limpet shook his head gravely. Topsy, who wondered if she had said something very wrong, hid her face behind her aunt’s back. ‘The question is,’ resumed Limpet, ‘who was the man Mrs. Turvey and the child saw? That’s it, I think, Dr. Birnie?’ Dr. Birnie nodded. ‘It was my master, Mr. Gurth Egerton’s ghost as I see,’ exclaimed Mrs. Turvey emphatically; ‘and nothing will turn me from that.’ Mr. Limpet turned to Mr. Symonds. ‘We have your statement and your address, I think, Mr. Symonds?’ ‘Yes, sir,’ answered the seafaring gentleman, ‘my address when ashore; but I ain’t often there. I’m mostly a little beyond the four-mile radius.’ Mr. Limpet smiled condescendingly. ‘Then for the present we can spare you, Mr. Symonds. The firm will see you compensated for any trouble you may be put to.’ ‘Thank you, cap’en and gen’l’men, one and all,’ said Mr. Symonds; ‘and good-morning, ladies—yours most obedient.’ Mr. Symonds made a leg, swung his hat in the nautical manner and rolled out of the room. ‘Mrs. Turvey, for the present I hope you will remain in charge of the house now we have found a woman to be with you.’ ‘Yes, sir,’ answered Mrs. Turvey; ‘I don’t mind now I’ve company; and I never was afeard of human beings; but ghosts I was not brought up to, and never shall be.’ ‘Certainly not, my dear madam,’ said Limpet. ‘We will send to you again when necessary. Good-morning.’ Mrs. Turvey rose to go. She curtseyed, and led Topsy to the door. ‘Good-day, child,’ said Mr. Grigg. ‘Day of Judgment—queer notion for a child—always remember Bible.’ When Mrs Turvey and Topsy had departed, Messrs. Grigg and Limpet had a long and earnest conversation with Dr. Birnie, the result of which was the drawing up of an advertisement, to be inserted in the _Times_, requesting the present address of Mr. George Englehardt, the rescued passenger of the _Bon Espoir_. He might be able to prove even to the law that Gurth Egerton was dead, and his property at liberty to be dealt with.