It was an unlikely tale; and this makes it the more suspicious.

Bless my soul!" said my uncle, suddenly, "to think it never struck me before! Your father was to sail in the _Belle Fortune_, and this man gave the name of the ship as the _James and Elizabeth_." "It was the _Belle Fortune_, and the man told a falsehood." "I suppose it must have been." "I know it was." "Know?
How do you know ?" "Because the _James and Elizabeth_ is lying at this moment in Falmouth Harbour, and her captain is down at the 'Lugger.'" Thereupon I told how I had met with Captain Antonius Merrydew.
Nay, more, for my heart ached for confidence, I recounted the whole story of my meeting with John Railton, and the struggle upon Dead Man's Rock.

Every word I told, down to the dead man's legacy--the packet and letter which I hid in the cow-house.

As the tale proceeded my uncle's eyes grew wider and wider with astonishment.
But I held on calmly and resolutely to the end, nor after the first shock of wonderment did he doubt my sanity or truthfulness, but grew more and more gravely interested.
When I had finished my narrative there was a long silence.

Finally Uncle Loveday spoke-- "It's a remarkable story--a very remarkable story," he said, slowly and thoughtfully.