"
The face of Captain Runacles, as the Doctor proceeded, went through
three rapid changes of colour--white, scarlet and purple.
"You knew all this?" he shouted, the congested veins standing out
upon his temples; "you knew all this, and kept us in the dark?"
"I did. It affected the child in no way. The fellow clearly knew
nothing, or cared nothing, about Tristram. Even supposing--which was
absurd--that he would wish to burden himself with the boy, I felt
pretty sure of Barker's ability to cope with him at the briefest
notice. Moreover, considering his mode of life, I hoped by waiting a
very short while to be able to tell you that Captain Salt's career
was ended by the halter. You see, he was evidently not born to be
drowned, and I drew the usual inference. But Mr. Finch's news puts a
very different complexion on the business. Tristram being heir, as I
understand, to some fifteen hundred pounds per annum--"
"Mr. Finch," said the Captain calmly, stepping to the door and
locking it, "have you, by any chance, the intention of seeking out my
co-trustee?"
"H'm: I am bound, sir, to consider my duty as a professional man."
"Let me entreat you also to reconsider it."
The little attorney glanced over his shoulder at the closed door.
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