Wetherell.

"That's all I was told," answered the man, and then said, "Good-night."

At the same moment the police boat pulled up alongside him and made
fast. I saw a dark figure enter his boat, and next moment the glare of a
lantern fell upon the man's face. I picked up my oars and pulled over to
them, getting there just in time to hear the Inspector ask the man his
name.

"James Burbidge," was the reply. "I don't know as how you've got
anything against me. I'm a licensed waterman, I am."

"Very likely," said the Inspector; "but I want a little explanation from
you. How do you come to be mixed up in this business?"

"What--about this 'ere message, d'you mean?"

"Yes, about this message. Where is it from? Who gave it to you?"

"Well, if you'll let me go, I'll tell you all about it," growled the
man. "I was up at the _Hen and Chickens_ this evenin', just afore dark,
takin' a nobbler along with a friend. Presently in comes a cove in a
cloak. He beckons me outside and says, 'Do you want to earn a
sufring?'--a sufring is twenty bob. So I says, 'My word, I do!' Then he
says, 'Well, you go out on the harbour to-night, and be down agin Shark
Point at ten?' I said I would, and so I was. 'You'll see a boat there
with an old gent in it,' says he. 'He'll strike three matches, and you
do the same. Then ask him if he's Mr. Wetherell. If he says "Yes," ask
him if the money's all right? And if he says "Yes" to that, tell him to
pull in towards Circular Quay and find the _Maid of the Mist_ barque.
He's to take his money down to the cuddy, and he'll get his answer
there.' That's the truth so 'elp me bob! I don't know what you wants to
go arrestin' of an honest man for."

The Inspector turned to the water police.

"Does any man here know James Burbidge?"

Two or three voices immediately answered in the affirmative, and this
seemed to decide the officer, for he turned to the waterman again and
said, "As some of my men seem to know you, I'll let you off. But for
your own sake go home and keep a silent tongue."

He thereupon clambered back into his own boat and bade the man depart.
In less time than it takes to tell he was out of sight. We then drew up
alongside the police boat.

"What had we better do, Mr. Inspector?" asked Mr. Wetherell.

"Find the _Maid of the Mist_ at once. She's an untenanted ship, being
for sale. You will go aboard, sir, with your companion, and down to the
cuddy. Don't take your money, however. We'll d