a common sailor--or second mate; I believe that's what he
was--thirty-seven thousand five hundred is doing well. It must have come
as a big surprise to them. The whole sum was paid to Atkins, who--What's
the matter with you?"

Captain Cy was leaning back in his chair. He was as white as the
tablecloth.

"Are you ill?" asked the congressman anxiously. "Take some water. Shall
I call--"

The captain waved his hand.

"No, no!" he stammered. "No! I'm all right. Do you--for the Lord's sake
tell me this! What was the name of this partner that died?"

Mr. Everdean looked curiously at his friend before he answered.

"Sure you're not sick?" he asked. "Well, all right. The partner's name?
Why, I've heard it often enough. It's on the deed of sale that father
has framed in his room at home. The old gentleman is as proud of that as
anything in the house. The name was--was--"

"For God sakes," cried Captain Cy, "don't say 'twas John Thayer! 'Cause
if you do I shan't believe it."

"That's what it was--John Thayer. How did you guess? Did you know him? I
remember now that he was another Down Easter, like Atkins."

The captain did not answer. He clasped his forehead with both hands and