t," he said. "That is
a--a sure sign of disaster."

"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will befall you,
sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were in last night."

Mr. Slush looked surprised.

"Might I--ah--inquire your meaning?" he faltered.

"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they mean to
rob you," answered Frank, plainly.

"I--I wonder how you--er--know so much," said the little man, with
something like faint sarcasm, as Frank fancied.

"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling you the
truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."

"Er--ahem! Thank you--very much."

Mr. Slush walked away.

"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!" muttered Frank,
perplexed.

Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting along. He
walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the
bridge.

In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:

"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the hold, but I
guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have bread and water the
rest of the voyage."

After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the
darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread,
washed down with water.

Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but,
despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.

When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at
him.

"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just what he
deserves, and I'm glad of it!"

"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side," grunted
Browning.

"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be taken back
to the United States for punishment."

"Well, he'll get it all right."

"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the
dark hold with the rats."

This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and asked
liberty to see Harris.

The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended
into the hold.

Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris. Frank heard
the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed creature rose up
before them, shown by the yellow light of the lanterns.

Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he started.

The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable m