'
'My dear madam,' said the captain calmly, 'you must not use threats to
me. I am not accustomed to be addressed in the tone you have taken upon
yourself to use. Now tell me what it is you wish me to do?'
'It is for you to say what you will do. I am a passenger on board this
ship, and am supposed to be under the protection of its captain. I
therefore tell you I have been forcibly detained in my state-room, and I
demand that the person who did this shall be punished.'
'You say that Miss Longworth is the person who did this?'
'Yes, I do.'
'Now, do you know you make a serious charge against that young lady--a
charge that I find it remarkably difficult to believe? May I ask you what
reason she had for doing what you say she has done?'
'That is a long story. I am quite prepared to show that she tried to
bribe me not to send a despatch, and, finding herself unsuccessful, she
forcibly detained me in my room until too late to send the telegram.'
The captain pondered over what had been said to him.
'Have you any proof of this charge?'
'Proof! What do you mean? Do you doubt my word?'
'I mean exactly what I say. Have you anybody to prove the exceedingly
serious charge you bring?'
'Certainly not. I have no proof. If there had been a witness there, the
thing would not have happened. If I could have summoned help, it would
not have happened. How could I have any proof of such an outrage?'
'Well, do you not see that it is impossible for me to take action on your
unsupported word? Do you not see that, if you take further steps in this
extraordinary affair, Miss Longworth will ask you for proof of what you
state? If she denies acting as you say she did, and you fail to prove
your allegation, it seems to me that you will be in rather a difficult
position.
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