“Nay, nay; get not so hot, but let me continue with my story. Directly I gave the word to my men they each singled out a customer, and we fought desperately with our knives in the entrance-hall; the place was too small for the proper use of our swords, so I am sorry to say,” said Captain Jack, with a laugh, “that we had to cut the throats of one or two in the entrance hall (see Cut in No. 10), but it was all fair play. They didn’t know us, you see, so it don’t much matter. We quickly threw their bodies into the river, and they are food for the fish.” “But my wife?” said Phillip surprised. “Your wife, eh? she seems to give you much trouble all at once.” “Well, what of her?” “Why, she has run off with the man who gave you that nasty cut across the forehead.” “And who was he?” “Why, that elegant young man Fumbleton.” A terrible oath escaped from Phillip, and he rose to his feet, looking like a blood-stained demon. “I will be revenged,” said he, “if it costs me my life!” “And so you shall,” said Captain Jack, “if you only let the matter remain quietly for a short time. Fumbleton is rich, and can bear plucking.” “He has been plucked many times, I hear,” said Phillip, “and on one occasion to the tune of £2,000.” “I know he has. _I_ was the one to do it,” said Captain Jack. “You?” “Yes, me.” “How?” “Well, that I will tell you as we go along. You must leave this house at once.” “But the furniture—I am not going to leave that behind?” “You might as well, it ain’t worth anything.” “Worth nothing—what do you mean?” “Mean this, my boy; I have sold the house, furniture and all.” “You? why it all belongs to me.” “Perhaps so,” said Captain Jack, “but then you see why Fanny ran away with Fumbleton. I knew you would not remain here long, so while you were snoring I bundled off the servants, and sold everything.” “Very polite of you, certainly.” “Oh, don’t mention it—a friend of mine gave me a tempting price for the whole lot, so I took it, of course, being short of money, and as you deserve a trifle on our old account, why of course it’s all right.” “But it’s all wrong. Where’s the money?” “In my pocket,” said Captain Jack, very coolly, “where it is likely to remain until I want it.” “And what do you want with me so early in the morning?” asked Phillip. “Wash yourself, and get out of the house as soon as possible, and then I’ll tell you. There, that will do; don’t take overmuch pains with yourself—you ain’t going far,” said Captain Jack, with a sinister smile. “But where to?” “You’ll soon see; but as I was about to say, regarding Fumbleton; he’s been after your wife a long time, and you are the one to blame, for if you _would_ introduce her to all the worst sparks in town, why of course you can’t expect her to respect you much.” “You are very kind with your advice this morning,” said Phillip; “one would almost imagine you had turned parson.”