“The steamer,” said Mr. Riderhood, obstinately, “run me down and drownded of me. Interference on the part of other parties brought me round; but I never asked ’em to bring me round, nor yet the steamer never asked ’em to it. I mean to be paid for the life as the steamer took.”

“Was that your business at Mr. Lightwood’s chambers in the middle of the night?” asked Bradley, eyeing him with distrust.