at alongside, and his traps were bundled in after him. Half an hour
later the boat returned, but this time Maas was not in her. MacAndrew
ascended to the deck, and once more made his way to the smoking-room.
He found Browne and Jimmy there as before.

"They will land him at Tomari in the Kuriles in three months' time," he
reported, with what appeared to be considerable satisfaction.

"Tomari is the capital of Kunashiri Island," said Jimmy, who had turned
up a copy of the _China Sea Directory_ during the short silence that
followed. "It has a permanent population of about one thousand five
hundred souls, which is largely increased in summer time by fishermen."

"You are sure he will be quite safe," asked Browne. "Scoundrel and
traitor though he is, I shouldn't like to think that any harm would
befall him."

"You need not be afraid," replied MacAndrew. "He is quite able to look
after himself. Besides, the skipper is an old friend of mine, and a
most respectable person. He will take every care of him, you may be
sure. You have paid him well enough to make it worth his while."

After that, for the remainder of the voyage, the name of Maas was never
mentioned by any of the party. Even to this day Browne scarcely likes
to hear it spoken. Nor does he permit himself to dwell very often upon
what happened a few days later, when, after a most uncomfortable
interval, the yacht rounded Hakodate Headland and came to an anchor in
the harbour.

"Leave everything to me," said MacAndrew, when he went into the
smoking-room to bid Browne farewell. "I know how painful an interview
would be for you all, and I think you can very well dispense with it.
I believe they are ready to go ashore."

"In that case, let them go. I never wish to see their faces again."

"I can quite understand it; and now I must bid you farewell myself. I
am sorry our adventure has not turned out more successfully; but at any
rate you have had a run for your money, and you have seen something of
life in the Far East."

"I have, indeed," said Browne. "Now, tell me of the arrangements you
have made concerning these two miserable people. What will happen to
them eventually?"

"They can do as they think best," replied MacAndrew. "They can either
stay here or go wherever they please. The Nippon Yusen Kwaisha Line
call here thrice weekly; and from Yokohama you can reach any part of
the known world."

"But they are practically penniless," said Br