"No; it is never closed. The housekeeper was there, and also the two
daughters."

"Daughters?"

"Certainly; hadn't I told you about them? Both girls are accepted as
his daughters; but, if all I have heard is true, one must be a
granddaughter." He paused reminiscently, his eyes on the river. "To
all appearances they are about of the same age, but differing rather
widely in looks and character. Both are attractive girls I judge,
although I only had a glimpse of them, and at the time knew nothing of
the difference in relationship. I naturally supposed them to be
sisters, until Haines and I got to talking about the matter on the way
back. Pshaw, Knox, you've got me gossiping like an old woman."

I glanced aside at his face.

"This, then, is not common river talk? the truth is not generally
known?"

"No; I have never heard it mentioned elsewhere, nor have I previously
repeated the story. However, now that the suggestion has slipped out,
perhaps I had better go ahead and explain." He puffed at his pipe, and
I waited, seemingly intent on the scene without. The captain was a
minute or two in deciding how far he would venture. "Haines told me a
number of strange things about that family I had never heard before,"
he admitted at last. "You see he has known them for years, and
attended to most of Beaucaire's legal business. I don't know why he
chanced to take me into his confidence, only he had been drinking some,
and, I reckon, was a bit lonely for companionship; then those two girls