human
Joe, said the squire, as soon as he could take in the situation,
gpt
Not me, sir! I knows a shark when I sees one.
human
But this is Captain Achille Lestrange.
gpt
Curse me if he is! cried Joe vigorously.
human
Achille weren't no captain. This one's a captain right enough, and a blazing fine lobster he is! Jean's his name, sir, but he ain't a Scotch girl, for all that. No, it's the French lingo for John.
gpt
I am Achille Lestrange, persisted the Captain, very shrill and very short of breath.
human
This man is a liar!
gpt
Say that again, and I'll knock the teeth down your throat! growled Joe, like an angry mastiff.
human
Achille be blowed! I know'd you twenty year ago in the islands, I did, and a bad lot you were then. Jean Lestrange--why, there never was a wuss lot! I never did think much of Achille, for all his money; but you----
gpt
Then this man is not Sophy's father?
human
Oh, he sez that, does he, the lubber? Missy's father! Why, he ain't fit to be her shoeblack!
gpt
Achille was the girl's father, said Lestrange sullenly. He saw that it was useless to lie in face of Joe's positive knowledge.
human
And if I'm not her father, I'm her uncle.
gpt
That's a d----d lie! put in Joe.
human
You weren't no more nor Achille's cousin. What you are to missy, I don't know. But she won't have nothing to do with you, you landshark!
gpt
Joe, do you mean to say your late master is not Sophy's father?
human
I do, sir. It's got to come out somehow, if only to put a stop to that devil's pranks. She's the daughter of Achille Lestrange.
gpt
Who was murdered by Marlow! finished the Captain savagely.
human
Ah, my friends, I have still some cards left.
gpt
You'll have no teeth left! growled Joe, making a step forward.
human
You're a liar, Captain Jean--you always was! Mr. Marlow----
gpt
Beauchamp,
human
Beauchamp it is, continued Brill coolly.
gpt
Oh, you needn't be afeared that I'm going to lie! But Mr. Beauchamp never stabbed Munseer Achille, and you know it, you lubber! Let me get at him, Mr. Thorold!
human
No, no, Joe! Alan kept the irate seaman back.
gpt
We'll deal with this gentleman in a better fashion. Sit down, Joe, while we talk it over.