ous. The bo's'n--Billy? What----"

"Billy's alive, Ruth! Free! How----"

"Enough of that!" broke in Carew roughly. "You two were not brought
together for conversation. Any more of that chatter and I'll have Moto
place a finger on 'dear Martin's' windpipe!"

As if obeying an order already given, Moto became alive. Martin had
for the time being forgotten the ju-jitsu man standing behind his
chair, but now Moto suddenly leaned forward and gently stroked his neck
with long and supple fingers.

Ruth's eyes widened at the action, and horror crept into them as she
looked past Martin and observed the cruel, impassive calm of Moto's
yellow face. She turned to Carew.

"You beast! Have you brought us together, then, to torture us?" she
cried.

Martin saw the red blood mantle the renegade's cheeks. But Carew held
check on his tongue. It was Ichi who answered the girl's scornful
words.

"Torture? Ah--no, no! It is, ah, persuasion," said Ichi. "But let us
trust, my dear miss, you will not compel us to persuade. Believe me,
my honored captain and myself are your very fine friends; it would
muchly harrow our gentlemanness to order Moto to make painful the
person of esteemed Mr. Blake, and thus make disturbful your own
honorable mind. We would not like to be hurtful to dear Mr. Blake--ah,
no."

"You gloating, yellow cat!" was Ruth's response. "Why, you are
torturing him now. Look at his arms!"

"Well, well! You seem to be greatly exercised over the comfort of your
pet!" broke out Carew angrily; his mouth was sneering; Martin saw the
devils of jealousy were prodding him. "Well, milady, your fancy boy is
ironed up because we have learned from somewhat harsh experience that
he is rather impulsive in the use of his hands. I do not care to have
him assault me and be compelled to kill him--at least, not yet. His
arms will remain as they are. And as to whether Moto will work upon
him, why, that depends upon you, my girl!"

Martin drew a breath of thankful relief. He had tried to check Ruth's
outburst with a frown; he feared her words might cause them to unlock
the handcuffs. Cruelly as his arms ached, he much preferred the pain
to having them discover the cuffs had been tampered with. If his
bracelets were once closely examined, and they learned he could remove
them at will, he knew that a prompt investigation would forestall the
boatswain.

Carew's decision pleased him. He knew there was no danger now