'Business, captain, must be conducted in a business-like manner.'

'You thought otherwise once.'

'When was that, pray?'

'When the father of that man, whom your relentless cruelty pursues with
such vindictive malice, took you, a friendless boy, fed and clothed you,
educated you along with his own son--the very man whose misery you
insult--when his father saved _you_ from the "charitable institution"
you would send his children to, and finally paid the fee for articling
you to the attorney at Canterbury, where you learned your present
devotion to business.'

The agent stared in speechless astonishment--the low musical laugh again
rang through the room.

'Listen!' said the mariner. 'The creatures of the air, the beings of
another world denounce you; the victims of your lust for gold, though
buried fathoms deep in the grave, still find a voice to chill the marrow
in your bones: the dead shall rise from their graves and confront
you--the hidden perfidy of years shall be disclosed, base tool of a
baser master--all your machinations against the wronged and the humble
shall fail, and recoil upon yourselves. Repent ere it will be too late;
you will never more be warned by me.'

So saying, the stout seaman left the astonished agent and wended his way
towards the cottage of the poor man Johnson, whither we shall precede
him. It is needless to remind the reader that the way was perfectly