"Ay, but I have a notion I could make you go steady about, and try the
old course again," said Dirk Hatteraick. "I had something to tell you."

"Of the boy?" said Glossin eagerly.

"Yaw, mynheer," replied the captain coolly.

"He does not live, does he?"

"As lifelich as you or me," said Hatteraick.

"Good God! But in India?" exclaimed Glossin.

"No, tousand teyvils, here--on this dirty coast of yours!" rejoined the
prisoner.

"But, Hatteraick, this--that is, if it be true, will ruin us both, for
he cannot but remember."

"I tell you," said the seaman, "it will ruin none but you, for I am done
up already, and if I must strap for it, all shall out."

Glossin paused--the sweat broke upon his brow; while the hard-featured
miscreant sat opposite coolly rolling his tobacco in his cheek.

"It would be ruin," said Glossin to himself, "absolute ruin, if the heir
should reappear--and then what might be the consequences of conniving
with these men?"

"Hark you, Hatteraick, I can't set you at liberty, but I can put you