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Rh mean before you had that trouble with Tag Dutch?"

"O' course, I do, friend. But it's a good way back, ain't it?" The sailor scratched his head. "And that crack has knocked it clear out o' reckoning." He heaved a sigh. "You've been good to me, sir," he went on to Oliver Wadsworth. "I ain't goin' to forgit it, not me!"

"Where did you meet me?" went on Dave, striving to be calm, although he was becoming tremendously interested.

"Where? Why, out there on Cavasa Island in the South Seas. Don't you remember the old ship—let's see, I can't remember her name—and that crazy nurse—the one who lost the child—the little boy? Of course you do?"

"A crazy nurse who lost a little boy!" ejaculated Oliver Wadsworth. "Who was she?"

"Who was she?" repeated Billy Dill. "He knows." He pointed to Dave. "I reckon it was his son, or his nephew, I've forgotten which." He pressed his hand to his temple. "Queer, how things get away from a man—sometimes I'm away out o' my reckonin'."

"So you think I'm the person who lost the little boy?" faltered Dave, his breast heaving with emotion. "Did that man look exactly like me?"

"As like as two peas—only he had a mustache.