The movement, and a sudden gleam of his teeth through his beard, were expressive enough for Nathaniel to understand.
Then the king smiled.
"Are you sure--are you _quite_ sure, Captain Plum, that it was my people who attacked your ship?
If so, of course you must have some proof ?" "We were very near to Beaver Island and many miles from the mainland," said Nathaniel.

"It could only have been your people." "Ah!" Strang led the way to a table at the farther end of the room and motioned Nathaniel to a seat opposite him.
"We are a much persecuted people, Captain Plum, very much persecuted indeed." His wonderful voice trembled with a subdued pathos.

"We have answered for many sins that have never been ours, Captain Plum, and among them are robbery, piracy and even murder.

The people along the coasts are deadly enemies to us--who would be their friends; they commit crimes in our name and we do not retaliate.

It was not my people who waylaid your vessel.