The herald., 1896-02-20

timated the fact, know who the gentleman
was who had lost the diamonds, nor had
any possible way OF knowing that he had
any diamonds in his possession to lose.
! have never seen him before, so far as l
know. as rarely notice faces in crowd un-
less they are called to my attention. He
may very we'll have passed under my eyes
without any especial notice as-the gentle
man will pardon me-there is nothing par
ticularly impressive in his appearance. II
it was he whom I involuntarly clung to
last night I very properly and very hum
bly, repeat the apology which l believe
made at the time.
Il have nothing more to say, Sir" he
went on in voice which was not peculiarly
calm and soft. "I recognize that you as
Captain, are responsible for the safety of
the property as well as the lives on board
this ship, and 1 recognize your power to do
with me or any other passenger, as you
please. If you are satisfied that / am guilty
OF this extraordinary crime you will of
course be justified in putting me into con-
fnement, and you have the power to also
put me in shackles If. though some extra
ordinary combination of circumstances, you
are convinced that am guilty you must Of
course turn me over to the officer of the
law at Liverpool. But I declare that YOU
are mad to accuse me and l shall hold you
and your company strictly accountable for
your treatment of me. If this man accuses
me you have right to lock me up. but your
right end there. You have no right to DUN
ish me. The English judge and jury who
will try me will alone have that right pro-
viding you persist in this absurd charge"
Morley's heart sank within him. No mat
ter how evil might be the mans appear
ance, or how suspicious might be his ac-
tionS, this speech. the latter part of which
had been delivered with some declamatory
effect, sounded like that of one who was
innocent and who was not afraid that he
would not be ultimately cleared of an I'm
just charge. And had the man stopped
there, the Captain, already convinced that
there was practically no foundation for the
charge he had made, would probably have
refused to proceed farther along this line
and would have permitted him to go free.
Bu. the second cabin passenger who had
worked himself up to high point OF feryor,
went further. He added:
"There is law for the weak as we'll as for
the strong. Do your worst, sir, after con-
sultation with this extraordinary person
who accuses me. DO your worst, sir, do your
worst. I defy you SIR" Here he lost the
admirable control of himself which had
before made his speech impressive and raw
ed like lunatic as he had when the sailoors
were taking him along the decks. II defy
you, sir. and defy your whole dirty crew.
Harm one hair of my head and you shall
pay for it, you shall suffer for it,
1ko;,, I,;r foa x,-;kI
stepped to the door and called the sailors.
"Take this man below" he ordered, "and
shackle him.
Tell the Chief Officer to come to me at
once"
To the Chief oficer, who responded
promptly, the Captain gave orders to have
the man kept on bread and water until they
reached port. He was dragged aft cursing
and screaming crazy defiance to the whole
ship full.
After his shouts had died away the cap
tain turned to Morley. He was man Of
the sort which is unlikely to discriminate
in its anger. He was thoroughly aroused
now.
THAT is what get, young man. for lis
tening to your absurd attempt to fasten
this crime on another person than the one
who had committed it,
IF you think him guiltless," said Nor
ley, discouraged by tho turn affairs had
taken, why do you send him below?"
The captain WAS angry now; he was an
CRY at Thompson for defying and cursing
him. he was angry at Morley for having
| gotten him into this second unpleasant cpl
sode. and he was angry himself for submit
| ting to the advice of anyone else In the
handling of his own ship.
| ''This affair has given me all the trouble
| shall permit it to-" he declared emphati-
cally. From now on wash my hands OF
| it till We reach port. Your young woman
is the guilty one. There is not doubt OF
| that On my mind. If she is not guilty let
her prove her innocence in court. ] shall
press the charge against her myself. II
she escapes some evidence Of which have
no knowledge will have to be brought in
to prove it. You can accuse this ravine
lunatic whom l have locked up, if you want
to, and get laughed at and very likely pro-
ceeded against for false Imprisonment fol
your pains. ! hold Madeline Perrine gull
ty of grand larceny on the high seas and
on my ship, and shall treat her accord
ingly."
But captain. you will not publicly dis
grace her by letting other passengers
know that she is accused, will you? Ani
you will not refuse 10 let me see her, vii
your'