'You know, Sir,' said Captain Lake, but a little huskily, turning about and smiling at last, 'that Mark Wylder is nothing to me. We don't correspond: we have not corresponded. I know--upon my honour and soul, Sir--nothing on earth about him--what he's doing, where he is, or what's become of him. But I can't hear a man of business like you assert, upon what he conceives to be reliable information--situated as the Brandon title is--depending, I mean, in some measure, upon his life--that Mark Wylder is no more, without being a good deal shocked.' 'I quite understand, Sir--quite, Captain Lake. It is very serious, Sir, very; but I can't believe it has gone that length, quite. I shall know more, of course, when I've seen James Dutton. I can't think, I mean, he's been made away with in that sense; nor how that could benefit anyone; and I'd much rather, Captain Lake, move in this matter--since move I must--in your interest--I mean, as your friend and man of business--than in any way, Captain Lake, that might possibly involve you in trouble.' 'You _are_ my man of business--aren't you? and have no grounds for ill-will--eh?' said the captain, drily. 'No ill-will certainly--quite the reverse. Thank Heaven, I think I may truly say, I bear ill-will to no man living; and wish you, Captain Lake, nothing but good, Sir--nothing but good.' 'Except a hasty word or two, I know no reason you should _not_,' said the captain, in the same tone. 'Quite so. But, Captain Brandon Lake, there is nothing like being completely above-board--it has been my rule through life; and I will say--it would not be frank and candid to say anything else--that I have of late been anything but satisfied with the position which, ostensibly your professional adviser and confidential man of business, I have occupied. Have I been consulted?--I put it to you; have I been trusted? Has there been any real confidence, Captain Lake, upon your part? You have certainly had relations with Mr. Mark Wylder--correspondence, for anything I know. You have entertained the project of purchasing the Reverend William Wylder's reversion; and you have gone into electioneering business, and formed connections of that sort, without once doing me the honour to confer with me on the subject. Now, the plain question is, do you wish to retain my services?' 'Certainly,' said Captain Lake, biting his lip, with a sinister little frown.