human
I did not know that you had a brother by the name of Adoniah,
gpt
It ain't often I make mention of him. I wa'n't over fond of him. He didn't treat Clemmie fair. Then, he wa'n't nothing but a half-brother.
human
Don't tell me his last name was Phillips?
gpt
Sartin was.... What was that you said, Mack?
human
I didn't speak. I was just thinking.
gpt
I'd a heap sight rather you'd speak out loud than grunt like that. What in tarnation is the matter with you?
human
If you can throw any light on this man Phillips, I wish you'd do it. I've heard his name mentioned twice, by two different people, with quite different effects.
gpt
What do you mean by me throwing light on him?
human
Tell me about him, all you know, good and bad. What does Miss Pipkin know about him? Where is he?
gpt
Heave to, there, Mack! One at a time. I don't know if Clemmie has any idea where he is now. She was purty thick with him once, and heerd from him once or twice after he went off to sea.
human
She was in love with him?
gpt
That's putting it purty tame. I cal'late--Say, has she been speaking to you about him?
human
I'm breaking a promise to her by talking with you about it, but----
gpt
Breaking a promise you made to Clemmie? How's that?
human
She made me promise to say nothing to you. But I must. This thing is getting too interesting for me to keep my hands off any longer.
gpt
You mean she made you say that you'd not tell me that she was in love with Adoniah? That's funny, ain't it? Why, I knew---- He broke off abruptly, a new light coming into his tired eyes. He leaned forward and whispered hoarsely:
human
Mack, it ain't likely she's in love with--well,--with any other feller, is it?
gpt
She didn't----
human
With me, for example, broke in the seaman.
gpt
You don't think maybe that was the reason she made you give that promise, do you? The Captain made no effort to hide his eagerness.
human
I don't mind telling you that I love Clemmie. I loved her long afore Adoniah come along and sp'iled it. He was smarter than me, and went to school. He was real bright and handsome. It wa'n't that Clemmie loved him, but she didn't know the difference. And I know right well he didn't love her. He had took a spite against me because I was left the home place, and he took it out on me by stealing my girl. You don't s'pose she sees now that he didn't really care---- He slowly settled back into his chair, and shook his head.
gpt
I cal'late that ain't possible. You heerd what she said about his sacred memory this morning. Good Lord! Why won't she ever forget!
human
She may some day, Cap'n. No man can predict to-day what a woman may do to-morrow.
gpt
The most of 'em are that way, but Clemmie's different from the common run. I know I'm an old fool for wishing it, but it ain't easy to give up the woman you love, even after long years of her saying no to you.
human
You're right, Cap'n. It isn't easy to give up the woman you love.
gpt
Have you the slightest idea where your brother is?
human
No. I ain't heerd from him for more than twenty years, and then it wa'n't direct. He left because he was 'feared Clemmie was going to make him marry her, and he knew if he took to sailing the seas she'd never foller him. Damn him! He didn't treat her square. That's why I don't have much use for him. If he'd told her out and out that he wa'n't going to marry her, I'd forgive him. But----
gpt
Did Mr. Fox know this half-brother?
human
About as well as he knew the rest of us about town. He always was sort of h'ity-t'ity, Jim was.
gpt
Did he know him better after they left Little River?
human
Mack, I ain't got your tack, yet. Mind telling me where you're heading?
gpt
You asked me once if anything out of the ordinary took place that night I dined at the Fox home. Do you remember?
human
Yes, I rec'lect I did ask you something like that. But----
gpt
You may also recall that you suggested that what happened to Mr. Fox took place in his head instead of in his heart.
human
Yes, I said that, too. But, Mack----
gpt
Just wait, and I'll tell you what this is all about. I had mentioned to Harold that I was born in Australia----
human
Mack! The Captain was out of his chair in one bound.
gpt
You born in Australia? Why in tarnation didn't you ever tell me that afore?
human
My announcement had a similar effect on the Elder.
gpt
Go on, Mack. Don't mind me. I'm a mite narvous. All unstrung, I cal'late.
human
As I said I had just mentioned that fact to Harold, and the conversation naturally turned back to the days of the early traders who went to that country. Harold then told his father that the law firm, of which he has recently been made a junior member, had put him on a case which necessitated his going over to Australia. It seems that they had been trying to clear it up for a long time. The case came from Sydney, and had been referred to him because he had once spent some time over there. It was when he mentioned the name of the client that Mr. Fox nearly fainted.
gpt
Do you know of all the movements of Mr. Fox after he left here?
human
No, I don't. But you was speaking of the case from Sydney, Mack. Who was the feller whose name hit Jim so hard?
gpt
Was Mr. Fox a sailor?
human
Lordie! ejaculated the Captain.
gpt
Jim Fox a sailor? Why, he couldn't sail a tub in a flooded cellar.
human
You mean he never crossed the ocean as a trader?
gpt
He done that, I cal'late, but as far as him being a sailor----
human
How many years ago was it that he followed the seas?
gpt
I ain't able to say, exactly, but it wa'n't long after Adoniah left home.
human
Cap'n Pott, Mr. Fox knew your half-brother after they had both left this country.
gpt
How do you know that?
human
Just by putting two and two together.
gpt
But Adoniah went to Australia, and Jim says he was in Africa,
human
I know all about that story, but I don't believe one word of it. Mr. Fox did not make his money in Africa, and he knew your half-brother.
gpt
What's all this got to do with that there client Harold spoke of the last night you ate up there?
human
Everything. The man he mentioned was a trader in Sydney. He had married an only daughter of an older trader, and then something happened. The younger man disappeared very suddenly. The old trader searched for years, but in vain. Recently, he died, leaving a large estate. His wife has taken up the search for the lost daughter. It was the name of the old trader's son-in-law that crumpled up Mr. Fox like an autumn leaf. The young trader's name was Adoniah Phillips.
gpt
But why did he act like the devil toward you, Mack? That's what I want to know.
human
I don't know. That is the thing that puzzles me.
gpt
What more do you know?
human
Harold said that Mr. Phillips came over to this country.
gpt
My brother in America? Mack, it's a lie! He'd have looked me up!
human
Perhaps he had reasons for not wishing you to know about him. He may have been an outlaw.
gpt
What connection was there between him and Mr. Fox? That is the thing we must find out.
human
Have you seen Harold since he come back?
gpt
Not yet. But I intend to.
human
No you don't! For God's sake, boy, don't do it!
gpt
But I must. I want to help you and Miss Pipkin. Then, for some unknown reason, I seem to be a part of all this mystery, and I intend to ferret it out.
human
Mack, please don't!
gpt
Is it because you fear disgrace to your family name?
human
That's it! shouted the seaman, seizing the minister by the arms with a crushing grip.
gpt
I'll tell you the hull miserable yarn some day, when I get to the bottom of it. But keep your hands off now! Them's orders!
human
And if I break them?
gpt
Then, by the Lord Harry, I'll break---- The Captain stopped abruptly.
human
Mack, what be you doing in Little River?