The next thing we know is that a 'great trouble' causes them to flee--doubtless some crime committed by the captain.

It may have been robbery, or perhaps piracy on the high seas; who knows?
Anyhow, he steals away to this forsaken spot, far from the sea or the railroads, and builds a fine house on a worthless farm, showing that he has money, but that retirement is his main object.

Here the Weggs make no friends: but the wife cries her eyes out until she dies miserably, leaving a son to the tender mercies of a wicked father.

So fearful is he of discovery that he will not allow the boy to go to school, but tries to educate him himself." "Probably the captain's real name was not Wegg, at all," suggested Patsy, entering into the spirit of the relation.
"Probably not, dear.

He would assume some name, of course, so that it might be more difficult to trace him," answered Louise.