Of the captain's whereabouts his father knew nothing, not even whether he was still alive; for the captain had actually disappeared from the world, and his creditors could obtain no tidings respecting him.

At this period, and for long afterward, they imagined that he and his father were in league together, and were determined to try at law the question as to the legitimacy of his birth as soon as the old squire should be dead.

But the old squire did not die.

Though his life was supposed to be most precarious he still continued to live, and became even stronger.

But he remained shut up at Tretton, and utterly refused to see any emissary of any creditor.