310 WYLDER'S BAJVD.
in both hands, and the seat interposed between himself
and Captain Lake. He was twisting his neck uncomfor-
tably in his shirt collar, and for some seconds was more
agitated, in a different way, than his patron was.
The fact was, that Mr. Larkin had a little mistaken his
man. He had never happened before to see him in one
of his violent moods, and fancied that his apathetic man-
ner indicated a person more easily bullied. There was
something, too, in the .tone and look of Captain Lake
which went a good way to confound and perplex his sus-
picions, and he half fancied that the masterstroke he had
hazarded was a rank and irreparable blunder.
"Allow me to speak a word, Captain Lake."
"You d—d old miscreant!" repeated the candescent
Captain.
"Allow me to say, you misapprehend."
'* You infernal old cur!"
"I mean no imputation upon you, sir. I thought you
might have committed a mistake — any man may; per-
haps you have. I have acted. Captain Lake, with fidelity
in all respects to you, and to every client for whom I've
been concerned. Mr. Wylder is my client, and I was
bound to say I was not satisfied about his present position,
which seems to me unaccountable, except on the supposi-
tion that he is under restraint of some sort. I never said
you were to blame; but you may be in error respecting
Mr. Wylder. You may have taken steps, Captain Lake,
under a mistake. I never went further than that. On
reflection, you'll say so. I didn't, upon my honor."
"Then you did not mean to insult me, sir?" said Lake.
"Upon my honor, and conscience, and soul, Captain
Lake," said the attorney, stringing together, in his vindi-
cation, all the articles he was assumed most to respect,
"I am perfectly frank I do assure you. I never sup-