free country, and people can believe what they like. Look at Protestants
and Catholics, for instance; their belief isn't the same, and yet I've
known 'em to be staunch friends."

Miss Drewitt shook her head. "He can never come here again," she said,
with great determination. "He has insulted you, and if you were not the
best-natured man in the world you would be as angry about it as I am."

The captain smoked in silence.

"And his father and those other two men will come back with your
treasure," continued Prudence, after waiting for some time for him to
speak. "And, so far as I can see, you won't even be able to prosecute
them for it."

"I sha'n't do anything," said Captain Bowers, impatiently, as he rose and
knocked out his half-smoked pipe, "and I never want to hear another word
about that treasure as long as I live. I'm tired of it. It has caused
more mischief and unpleasantness than--than it is worth. They are
welcome to it for me."

[Illustration: "'I never want to hear another word about that treasure as
long as I live.'"]




CHAPTER XV

Mr. Chalk's foot had scarcely touched the deck of the schooner when Mr.