tructions. I should, therefore, be glad if you would
permit me to inspect your vessel."

"You may do so with pleasure," said Browne. "But let it be understood,
before you commence, that I resent the intrusion, and shall,
immediately on my return to civilization, place the matter before my
Government to act as they think best. You have, of course, considered
what the consequences of your action will be?"

"It is not my business to think of the consequences," responded the
other. "All I have to do is to obey the orders I receive. May I
therefore trouble you to permit me to carry them out? I should be
loath to have to signal to my ship for assistance."

"Such a course will not be necessary," rejoined Browne, with all the
dignity of which he was master. "If you persist in your absurd demand,
I shall raise no further objection. Only, I should be glad if you
could do so with as little delay as possible. I have a friend below
who is seriously ill, and I am anxious to return to him."

"In that case, it would be as well for us to proceed without further
loss of time," continued the officer.

Turning to Captain Mason, who was standing beside him, Browne gave the
necessary orders. The Russian officer immediately called up a couple
of hands from his boat alongside, and then, escorted by Browne, set off
on his tour of inspection. Commencing with the men's quarters forward,
he searched every nook and cranny, but without success. Then, little
by little, they worked their way aft, exploring the officers' and
engineers' quarters as they proceeded. The engine-room and stoke-hole
followed next, and it was then that Browne's anxiety commenced. The
convict, as he had good reason to know, was the possessor of a hacking
cough, and should he give proof of its existence now they were ruined
indeed.

"I presume you do not wish to look into the furnaces," ironically
remarked the chief-engineer, who had accompanied them during their
visit to his own particular portion of the vessel. "Should you desire
to do so, I shall be pleased to have them opened for you."

"I have no desire to look into them," answered the officer, who by this
time was beginning to feel that he had been sent on a wild-goose chase.

"In that case let us finish our inspection, and be done with it," said
Browne. "It is not pleasant for me, and I am sure it cannot be for
you." As he spoke he turned to the officer, and signed him to make his
way up the ste