A Terrible Coward | Page 9

says; but Mas'r Harry Paul he says, `No,' he says, `I shall swim round,'
he says, and he swims round our boat."
"Well, he knows that," said Penelly, looking at him strangely.
"And then I'm going to tell him," continued Zekle, "that as soon as ever
a certain person who was aboard our boat sees young Mas'r Harry
coming, he goes and sits on the other side."
"Yes, I did," said Penelly sharply.
"Oh, you did, did you? You owns to that?"
"Of course," replied Penelly scornfully. "What then?"
"What then? Ah! I'll soon tell you what then," said Zekle. "You ups
with an armful of net, and just as young Harry Paul comes round under
you, you drops it on top of his head."

"Hush!"
Mark Penelly sprang at the speaker and clapped his hand over his lips.
"I thought," said Zekle, freeing himself, "that it was only for a bit of
mischief; I'd forgot all about young Mas'r Harry; but now I know as
you did it to drown--"
"Hush!" cried Penelly again hoarsely, and his face was like ashes. "I
didn't; indeed I did not, Zekle."
"Why, I see you with my own eyes," said the man.
"Yes, I did drop the net over, but it was only out of mischief. I did not
think it would do more than duck him well. I never thought it would be
so dangerous. I meant it in fun."
"But it was dangerous," said Zekle with a grin; "and as people know
you hate Mas'r Harry, they'll say you meant to mur--"
"Hush!" cried Penelly again; and he clapped his hand once more upon
the speaker's lips.
"Oh, that won't stop me from speaking!" said Zekle. "I'm going to tell
all I know, and it's my belief as they'll have you up, and bring it in
'tempt to kill young Mas'r Harry."
"But you won't speak about it, Zekle," said Penelly imploringly.
"But I just will," said Zekle, "and I come to ask you what they'll do to
you for it. I don't want to tell, but you see it's 'bout my dooty."
"I'll give you anything to be silent."
"But I must tell," said Zekle, shaking his head; "it's my dooty to, and I
wouldn't hold my tongue not for twenty pounds."
Penelly gave a gasp, and in those few moments of thought he saw all
the consequences of his escapade--the disgrace and shame--perhaps

prosecution for an attempt at murder, for a magistrate might refuse to
listen to his plea that it was only in fun.
But there was a gleam of hope. Zekle had mentioned money. He would
not hold his tongue for twenty pounds he said. Perhaps he would.
Penelly had not twenty pounds, nor yet five; but perhaps he could get it.
Turning to Zekle then he said:
"If I give you ten pounds, Zekle, will you swear that you will never say
a word?"
"No," said Zekle stoutly, "nor yet for twenty; and now I'm going to tell
all I know."
As he spoke he turned towards the door, and Mark Penelly made a
clutch at the nearest chair.
CHAPTER THREE.
HARRY PAUL'S PRESENT.
Zekle Wynn already had his hand upon the door when, mastering the
strange feeling of dread that had seized him, Mark Penelly caught him
by the arm and held him tightly:
"Look here, Zekle," he said hoarsely; "that was all a bit of fun--a joke;
but I don't want anyone to know. I'll give you fifteen pounds if you'll
hold your tongue."
"No," said Zekle, stoutly; "it's my duty to tell, and I'm agoing to tell."
"Twenty pounds," cried Penelly.
"No, I said afore that I wouldn't do it for twenty pounds," said Zekle,
with a very virtuous shake of the head; and as he made an effort to get
away, Penelly, who felt desperate, offered him twenty-five pounds.
"Yes, twenty-five pounds, Zekle; I'll give you twenty-five," he cried.

"It ain't no use to try and tempt me, Mas'r Mark--it ain't indeed. I didn't
ought to hold my tongue about it. No, I'll go and do my duty."
"But it will nearly drive my father mad," said Penelly imploringly;
while Zekle's little sharp eyes twinkled as their owner wondered
whether his victim could muster twenty-five pounds.
"I'm very sorry, of course," said Zekle; "but you see a man must do his
duty. No, no, Mas'r Mark, you mustn't tempt me."
"I'll get you the money at once, Zekle," said Penelly, who saw that his
visitor was trembling in the balance--that is, he appeared to be; but
Zekle had make up his mind to have twenty-five pounds down before
he entered the house.
"I didn't ought to take it, you know," said Zekle, hesitating.
"But you will, Zekle, and I'll never forget your goodness," said