e could have had any hand in its
disappearance. But the fact remained that the envelope was gone. He
rang for his valet, and questioned him; but the man declared that, not
only did he know nothing at all about it, but that he had not entered
the cabin between dinner-time and when he had prepared his master for
the night. It was a singular thing altogether. At last, being unable
to remain where he was any longer, he rose and dressed himself and went
up to the deck. Day was just breaking. A cloudless sky was overhead,
and in the gray light the Peak looked unusually picturesque; the water
alongside was as smooth as a sheet of glass; the only signs of life
were a few gulls wheeling with discordant cries around a patch of
seaweed floating astern.

Browne had been pacing the deck for upwards of a quarter of an hour,
when he noticed a _sampan_ pull off from the shore towards the yacht.
From where he stood he could plainly distinguish the tall figure of
MacAndrew. He accordingly went to the gangway to receive him.
Presently one of the women pulling brought her up at the foot of the
accommodation-ladder, when the passenger ran up the steps, and
gracefully saluted Browne.

"Good-morning," he said. "In spite of the earliness of the hour, I
think I am up to time."

"Yes, you are very punctual," answered Browne. "Now, shall we get to
business?"

They accordingly walked together in the direction of the smoking-room.

"You mastered the contents of my note, I suppose?" asked MacAndrew, by
way of breaking the ice.

"Perfectly," replied Browne; "and I was careful to burn it afterwards."

"Well, now that you have perused it, what do you think of it?" inquired
the other. "Do you consider the scheme feasible?"

"Very feasible indeed," Browne replied. "With a decent amount of luck,
I think it should stand a very good chance of succeeding.

"I'm very glad to hear that," returned MacAndrew. "I thought you would
like it. Now, when the other preliminaries are settled, I can get to
work, head down."

"By the other preliminaries I suppose you mean the money?" queried
Browne.

MacAndrew looked and laughed.

"Yes; the money," he admitted. "I'm sorry to have to be so mercenary;
but I'm afraid it can't be helped. We must grease the machinery with
gold, otherwise we shan't be able to set it in motion."

"Very well," rejoined Browne; "that difficulty is easily overcome. I
have it all ready for you. If you will accompany