hat had taken place. His face was hard and
grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he ordered that Harris be
ironed and confined in the hold.

"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this happened
on my ship."

"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to blame. The
fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what he did, if he found
an opportunity."

"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not get out of
this without suffering the penalty."

Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was led away.

"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself. I can't
say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent attacks on me, you
have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt. You have ruined your own
life."

"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go to prison
for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not forget you, Frank
Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars will but add to the debt I
owe you. When I come forth to freedom, I'll find you if you are alive,
and I'll have your life!"

Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons clanking and
rattling.

CHAPTER X.

THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.

When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a storm of
questions.

"Well, what does this mean?"

"Trying to dodge us?"

"Running away?"

"Muts the whatter with you--I mean what's the matter?"

"Where have you been?"

"Stand and give an account of yourself!"

Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond measure. He
explained how he had taken a fancy to look the steamer over and had
fallen in with the engineer. Then he related how he had visited the
engine room and been thrown into the stoke-hole.

But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was capped.

"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.

"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.

"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy languidness.

"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.

"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation he had
created.

"He--he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to forget his recent
sickness.

"He did."

"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?" fluttered
Diamond.

"I am here."

"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.

"He is in the hold in irons."

"Serves him right!" was the