"He is a waif of the sea--cast up from that wreck; yet my aunt presents him to the world as a Ruthven--when he may be of very low birth." "Evidently you are proud of your name." "I am proud, sir, for there is no family in South Carolina which bears a better name. We are descended from St. George Ruthven, one of the knights of Queen Elizabeth's reign." "I congratulate you, sir, and I now understand how this matter grates upon you. But permit me to state, the boy may prove to be of as high birth as yourself." "What, Jack? Never!" "Do not say that. Strange things have happened in this world." "But he looks as if he came of low birth," responded St. John haughtily. "There I must disagree with you, Mr. Ruthven." "Dat's de talk!" muttered Old Ben, as he eyed St. John darkly. "Massah Jack's as good as dat coward any day!" "As you please, doctor; but I shall hold to my opinion." Dr. Mackey shrugged his shoulders. "You have that right. Come, Ben, we will be on the way. Mr. Ruthven, allow me to bid you good-day," and the doctor bowed stiffly. "Good-day," was the curt response. Soon the surgeon and Old Ben were in the boat, and the negro was rowing swiftly in the direction of the wreck. St. John walked up the shore, but presently turned to view the doctor from a distance. "He talks as if he knew a thing or two," muttered the spendthrift to himself. "Can it be possible that he knows something of the past, and is going out to the wreck for a purpose?" CHAPTER X. THE PAPERS ON THE WRECK. As the waters of the bay were quiet, it did not take Ben long to row Dr. Mackey over to the wreck on the rocks. "Be careful how you steps out, sah," said the colored man. "De rocks am slippery, an' you kin twist an ankle widout half tryin', sah." "I will be careful, Ben. So this is the wreck?" "Yes, sah." "I presume all that was movable in the ship has been carried off?" "Long ago, sah." "But the inside of the ship itself was not torn out?" "No, sah. De folks around yeah is too afraid ob ghosteses fo' dat." "Ah, yes! so I heard--at least, I would suppose so," replied the doctor, in some confusion. "By the way, you need not remain here. I will visit the wreck alone. You can come back in an hour or so." "Wery well, massah." "But don't forget to come back. I don't want to be left here all night." "Don't worry, sah; I'll be back fo' dat dollah, sah," and Ben grinned. "Oh, yes! I forgot about the dollar. Well, you shall have it when you take me back to shore." The doctor walked slowly toward the wreck, glancing back several times to see if Old Ben was following him. The colored man rowed away in a thoughtful mood. "Somet'ing is on dat man's mind, suah!" he muttered to himself. "He's gwine ter do somet'ing." With difficulty the surgeon climbed up to the deck of the wreck. A desolate spectacle presented itself. Everything was charred by the fire.