'It is not my house. I am my daughter's guest,' replied the

Admiral. 'If it WERE my house - '

'Well?' said the Squire, 'what then? hey?'

The Admiral looked at him nobly, but was silent.

'Look here,' said Mr. Naseby, 'this intimidation is a waste

of time; it is thrown away on me, sir; it will not succeed

with me. I will not permit you even to gain time by your

fencing. Now, sir, I presume you understand what brings me

here.'

'I am entirely at a loss to account for your intrusion,' bows

and waves Van Tromp.

'I will try to tell you then. I come here as a father' -

down came the riding-whip upon the table - 'I have right and

justice upon my side. I understand your calculations, but

you calculated without me. I am a man of the world, and I

see through you and your manoeuvres. I am dealing now with a

conspiracy - I stigmatise it as such, and I will expose it

and crush it. And now I order you to tell me how far things

have gone, and whither you have smuggled my unhappy son.'

227

Tales and Fantasies