For some seconds they stared at each other without speaking a word; at last the Captain broke silence by exclaiming: "Well! I'm blowed," at the same time emptying the burning ashes of his pipe on the top of the barrel with the utmost nonchalance. Had one spark fallen into the powder, no one in that room would have ever lived to tell the tale! "You will be _blowed_ if you don't take care," replied L'Estrange, shuddering with horror at the careless action. "A truce to your puns, and tell me what in the name of heaven has brought you to such a place at such an hour?" "I might ask the same question of you, De Vere. I came, however, to see Stacy on some private business." "So you have steered for old Bill, have you?" "And what in the name of the foul fiend had you to say to me, my messmate?" muttered the old man, who had since entered the apartment. "I had much to see you about, Bill--some private business of the greatest consequence." "Private business be hanged," shouted the Captain, "there are no secrets here; was it with the black-eyed Antonia your private business lay, eh, L'Estrange?" "No, De Vere, it was on very different matters I wanted Bill's advice." "Bill's advice--a good one--his advice is the fiend's own counsel," said the Captain, disregarding Bill's angry look, who exclaimed, "And if he wants my advice, why shouldn't he have it, you scoundrel?" "Stow that, old badger," interrupted the Captain. "Stow that, Bill; no brawling, remember; but I say again, d--n all secrets--out with it, Ned, you know me, I am no sieve." "But, De Vere, this concerns your own family. I cannot tell it to you yet--by-and-by I may--not now." "And why not now? If it concerns my family who has a better right to know it? and if I am to know it some day, why not now?" L'Estrange still hesitated. "Hark you," said the Captain, rising flushed with anger, and striking the table such a blow with his clenched hand as set all the glasses waltzing, "you shall trifle with me no more: I wish to know that secret, and by heaven I will! Look you here, my fine fellow, no one saw you come in here, and devil a one shall see you go out, unless you turf your secret! it is as safe with me as with Bill, and unless I know it, you never leave this room living." His whole frame seemed to dilate with passion as he shouted, rather than spoke, these words. "Out with it, Ned; devil a fear of the Cap's turning traitor, he will rap through right and wrong," said old Bill Stacy. L'Estrange knowing the desperate character of these two men, and feeling sure they would feel small scruples in fulfilling their threat, should he longer hesitate, thought the best part of valour was discretion, and told them he would make a clean breast of it. "But, remember, De Vere," said he, "you force me to do it, and you must not grow wrath if you don't like it."