What became of his money after his death?
Why was his only son obliged to fly to the cities in order to obtain a livelihood?
Secondly, the Captain, a surly and silent man, had brought hither--perhaps by force--a young woman as his wife who was so unhappy that she pined away and died.

Who was this woman?
What had rendered her so unhappy and despairing?
Thirdly, the Captain's only friend had been a crazy man named Will Thompson.

Was he crazy before the Captain's death, or had he become crazed at that time, some terrible tragedy unhinging his mind?
Fourthly, the granddaughter of Thompson, Ethel, and the son of Captain Wegg had been in love with each other, and people expected they would marry in time.

But at his father's sudden death the boy fled and left his sweetheart without a word.

Why--unless something had occurred that rendered their marriage impossible?
In the fifth place there was Old Hucks and his blind wife to be considered.