"I'm busy, my dear," said the latter, somewhat sternly.

"Our business," said Gunn, with another bow, "is finished. Is this your
daughter, Rog-- Mullet?"

"My stepdaughter," was the reply.

Gunn placed a hand, which lacked two fingers, on his breast, and bowed
again.

"One of your father's oldest friends," he said smoothly; "and fallen on
evil days; I'm sure your gentle heart will be pleased to hear that your
good father has requested me--for a time--to make his house my home."

"Any friend of my father's is welcome to me, sir," said the girl, coldly.
She looked from the innkeeper to his odd-looking guest, and conscious of
something strained in the air, gave him a little bow and quitted the
room.

"You insist upon staying, then?" said Mullet, after a pause.

"More than ever," replied Gunn, with a leer toward the door. "Why, you
don't think I'm _afraid,_ Captain? You should know me better than that."

"Life is sweet," said the other.

"Ay," assented Gunn, "so sweet that you will share things with me to keep
it."