The herald., 1896-06-21

Mr.. william Irishs parlor and asked to
see the landlord.
Presently Irish came in, and closed the
door behind him.
"Ah, how do you do, Captain Locke.
Look here, take back all the words I've
spoken against you. and forgive you all
the harm you've done me II you can do one
thing-look me square in the face and
tell me you amt guilty Of cruel and
accursed crime. John Locke, you are a
cold-blooded murderer"
The man turned his haggard face to Irish
and sought to say something, but his voice
failed him, and then his eyes fell.
you can't deny 1t, man. God knows l
always thought you to be an unprincipled
swab, but l never thought l should hear
that you had turned seven human beings
one Of 'em a woman-adrift among saw
ages. Good God, man. did you never have
a mother?"
The once dashing captain of the Reso-
luton had sunk into a chair and covered
his face with his hands.
AYE, hide your face, John Locke, the
curse of your evil deed is beginning to
came home to you. You and the she-devil
that was partner in your guilt ought to
hang together
Locke rose up and faced the other, and
Irish saw that the man was thin to emaci-
alton and looked twenty years older than
he really was.
what you say is true; but was the
worst. have suffered enough. I will
wait here while you send for an officer
Irish did not answer for a moment. then
he said
Where is Mrs. Morgan? She is equal
ly guilty."
A flush came in Locke's pale face.
II won't tell you. She has betrayed and
ruined me, but am not going to see her
harmed"
Irishs face softened. "You fool. She
will come and see you hanged and laugh
at you.''
May be-" said Locke, calmly, "but all
the same I'm not going to see her harmed" /"
Irish went to the door and calling to his
wife said
Polly. this gentleman and me is going
to have long talk; don't let us be dis
turbed.'
Then closing the door again he motioned
Locke back to his seat.
Two hours afterwards John Locke with a
curious quaver in his voice said, as he rose
to 60
"As God is my Judge, William Irish, 1
will not fail you.''
The old seaman held out his hand to the
ex-captain Of the Resolution.
II believe you, Locke, and if you want to
try and meet your Maker with a clean
sheet, you have got to find out what has
become of those people you turned adrif.
on that islind. AS for the convicts, il they
had their throats cut won't be sorry, but
therell be heavy score agin you if that
poor woman and her old father have per-
ished through your wickedness."
Locke bent his head, and then turned to-.
wards the door, when Irish stopped him.
Here, man, wait a bit. Here are a
couple Of guineas to carry you along till I
have seen this woman. Come here again on
Saturday night, and then 1 can tell you
what she says. AS for that little swab of
surgeon I'll soon put stopper on him.
Goodnight" said Locke, holding out
his hand, with his face averted; and he
added, almost in whisper, land God bless
you, Irish"
Then pushing open the door he walked
quickly away.
On the Saturday night at six o'clock,
John Locke again came to Mr.. Irishs par
lor. He was now decently clad, and had
some Of his old staggering style about
him.
81 can get just the ship want" he said
"she is small brig, and, as she is very
old. the owners will sell her cheap. The
Government will give her a freight of
stores for Port Jackson, II the surveyors
will certify that she is Mt to make the
voyage"
"All right, Locke. But SIT down and lis
ten to my news. went and saw Mrs. Nor
gam"
YES" said Locke, quietly.
"She's living in great style, 1 can tell
you. Well, made short work of the busi-
ness. She defied me at first, but as soon
as l mentioned your name she stopped.
Did Locke send you here?' she asked