chi."

Martin had finished looping the strap about the chain of the handcuffs.
Now he thrust the man forward, into the window; he, himself, retaining
a grasp on the leather, and remaining beyond the window edge, by the
hunchback's side.

Captain Carew stood at the taffrail and searched the face of the
mountain. Presently he cupped his hands, and sent a second stentorian
hail across the water--"Ahoy-y-y! Ahoy, the beach! Ichi!"

"So he's a bit worried about his partner," whispered Little Billy.
"That's good."

Martin commanded Ichi. "Answer him."

Ichi hesitated. But a jerk on the strap opened his mouth. He sent a
piercing "Aiee-e-e!" out of the window.

Carew looked eagerly for the sender of the hail. But it was Asoki, the
mate, who located the figure framed in the opening. He clutched
Carew's arm, and pointed. And Martin noted that not only the pirate
captain was interested. Charley Bo Yip's head popped out of the galley
door; and the guards all stared shorewards.

"Are you all right?" hailed Carew. "Have you found the stuff?" The
voice came very clearly over the water; the cliffs making a sounding
board that accented, then echoed, every syllable.

"Tell him," Martin commanded Ichi, "tell him, 'Come ashore!' Come,
sing it out. Remember the Deep Place!"

"Come ashore!" howled Ichi.

"Anything wrong?" demanded Carew.

"Tell him, 'Yes,'" commanded Martin. On the spur of the moment he
added, "Tell him I have been lost. That's it. An accident. And you
need him. Out with it."

"Yes! Accident! Mr. Blake lost! You come and helpful, Captain!" Ichi
called, obediently.

"What's that--the cub lost--gone?" shouted Carew. He seemed not
overcome by the news. He laughed, and slapped Asoki on the back.
"D'ye want me to help locate the stuff?" he hailed back to Ichi.
"Shall I bring the girl?"

"My God!" breathed Little Billy.

Martin jerked viciously on the strap. "Tell him yes, damn you, tell
him yes!" he cried.

"Yes--the girl!" called Ichi.

Carew waved his arm. "Coming!" he replied. "Meet me on the beach!"

CHAPTER XXII

TABLES TURNED

They waited there at the window for some time longer, watching the
preparations made for Carew's coming ashore. Carew, himself, had
disappeared below, but a sailor appeared on the main deck, and hauled
the dingey alongside. He was the cabin guard, thought Martin. Asoki,
the mate, left the poop and lent a hand at the task, and supervised t