"Since Madame is certain that this especial trance is reliable," was Prelice's retort, "she must remember something." "Oh, the deuce take your chatter," shouted Horace ruffling his shaggy red hair, in a high state of irritation. "I didn't ask you here to waste my time in drivel." "In that case, as my time is also valuable, I had better go." "No, no, confound you," said Horace crossly, and seeing that Prelice knew well how to treat his humours. "Madame here, and Jadby, wish to speak to you seriously." "I fail to see upon what subject." "Upon the subject of Miss Chent," cried the buccaneer savagely. "I decline to discuss an absent lady," said Prelice coolly. "You are engaged to her." "Am I indeed?" "But you sha'n't marry her." "Won't I! See here!" Prelice rose, very tall and very straight and very cool-headed, "if you persist in going like this, Captain Jadby, I shall be compelled to twist your neck." "English manners," sneered the half-caste again. "Not at all. Colonial manners, South Sea manners if you will, and very necessary manners for dealing with a ruffian such as you are." "I'll kill you for this," muttered Jadby, sinking back into his chair. "With your little gun?" taunted Prelice pleasantly. "I hope you'll shoot straighter. I never saw so rotten a shot." "I can do more than shoot." "Yes--you can bark." "And bite too. See here, I asked you here to tell you, in the presence of Horace, that if you don't stop meddling with things which do not concern you, I'll disgrace your uncle." Prelice never winced. He had a kind of idea that something of this sort was forthcoming, and merely laughed aggravatingly. "Which uncle?" said he, calmly. "I have two or three." "Mr. Simon Haken." "Oh indeed." Prelice turned to Horace. "Are you on my side, or on the side of these blackmailers?" he demanded. Madame Marie arose furiously. "I am not a blackmailer," she cried, and her deep-toned voice became shrill with anger. "I did not want to say anything, and if Felix does not swear to give up this girl, I shall refuse to speak out." "No," snapped Jadby, with a fierce glance; at which, strange to say, the courageous woman looked cowed. "You shall speak as I direct." "Are you on my side or on theirs?" Prelice asked Horace again. "On yours, hang you," snarled the ugly little man. "And if I were not, you would find yourself in Queer Street, I can tell you." Prelice took no notice of this outburst, but turned to the woman. "Are you against me?" he demanded. "I am neutral," she retorted uneasily. "I see; and Jadby there is an open enemy. Well, now that I understand the situation, perhaps you will let me know how Mr. Haken can be disgraced by you two, or you three." "We can accuse him of murder," said Jadby, choking with anger at the exasperating coolness of the young aristocrat. "Good. Go on." "Of two murders?" spat out the half-caste.