ppings of our class."

"Oh, I don't know," said Jim. But Monsieur Chatelard was now
imperturbable. He continued blandly:

"Since you are fond of sea-baths, you will no doubt enjoy a
plunge--to-night possibly. As we have made rather slow progress, we
are really not so far from shore. Yes, on second thought, I would by
all means advise you to take your departure tonight. Swim back to
shore the way you came. In any case, your absence is desired. There
will be no room or provision or water for you on board the _Jeanne
D'Arc_ after to-night. Is my meaning clear?"

Jim was watching, as well as he could, the immobile, expressionless
face, and did not immediately note that Monsieur Chatelard had drawn a
small, shiny object from his hip pocket and was holding it carelessly
in his lap. As his gaze focussed on the revolver, however, he did the
one thing, perhaps, which at that moment could have put the Frenchman
off his guard. He threw his head back and laughed aloud.

But before his laugh had time to echo in the narrow fo'cas'le, Jim
leaped from his bunk upon his tormentor, like a cat upon a mouse,
seized his right hand in a paralyzing grip, and was himself thrown
violently to the floor. The struggle was brief, for the Frenchman was
no match for Jim in strength and scarcely superior to him in skill; but
it took one of Jim's old wrestling feints to get the better of his
opponent. He came out, in five seconds, with the pistol in his hand.
Monsieur Chatelard, a bit breathless, but not greatly discomposed,
peered out at him from the edge of the opposite bunk, where he sat
uncomfortably. His cynical voice capped the struggle like a streak of
pitch.

"Pray keep the weapon. You are welcome, though your methods are
somewhat surprising. Had I known them earlier, I might have offered
you my little toy."

"Oh, don't mention it," said Jimmy. "I thought you might not be used
to firearms, that's all."

The varnished surface of Monsieur Chatelard's countenance gave no
evidence of his having heard Jim's remark.

"Don't fancy that your abrupt movements, have deprived me of what
authority I may happen to possess on this vessel. My request as to
your future action still stands, unless you had rather one of my
faithful men should assist you in carrying out my purpose."

Hambleton stood with legs wide apart to keep his balance, regarding the
weapon in his hand, from which his gaze traveled to the man on the
bunk. When it