Farnum, though it was plain that he spoke
reluctantly.
"It's just what I won't do, sir. I wouldn't be a good citizen if I
should allow a criminal to escape justice just because I was, afraid
to stay and testify against him," argued Captain Jack.
"I admit the force of all you say," assented Mr. Farnum, slowly. "Yet,
if I should find, after thinking it all over, that it will be best to
instruct you to leave here quietly, you won't refuse to obey, will you?"
"Yes," declared Jack Benson.
"What? It would be the first time you ever balked at orders, then."
"But this is different, Mr. Farnum. I refuse to obey any order that will
tend to defeat the ends of justice."
Jacob Farnum winced at that statement of the matter. He had been
anxious only to save Jack from the attempts of a dangerous crowd.
"Jack is right," broke in David Pollard, decisively.
"When he puts the case in that way, I don't dare say that he isn't,"
admitted the shipbuilder. "At the same time, I can't bear the thought
of the lad being butchered to gratify the grudge of any of the rascally
crew that we've offended here at Spruce Beach."
A slight, rustling sound at the door caused them all to wheel about.
Jacob Farnum's eyes beheld a slip of white paper lying on the floor,
just inside the door.
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