approached.

"It was that fool, Reilly, sir," he explained. "He mucked my
instructions."

I nodded and proceeded to examine my patient. The boatswain seemed to
have spoken the truth, for the man was as quiet as a log, save for the
movement of the clothes when he respired. But it was that very
respiration that arrested my attention. I felt his pulse, and I took
the temperature. As I moved to examine the glass, Pierce's thin crimson
face, peeping over my shoulder, almost struck upon me. The jaw was
sucked into its socket. The temperature was still high, too high to
allow of that placid sleep. I contemplated the thermometer meditatively.
The port was shut, and the only sounds that broke the night were the
dull beating of the screw and the duller wash of the waves against the
side of the _Sea Queen_. The boatswain stood motionless behind me.

"You are right," I said slowly. "He has gone off pretty comfortably,
but I should like to see his temperature lower. However, the sleep will
do him good, and I've no doubt I'll find him all right in the morning."

As I spoke I turned away with a nod and passed out of the cabin. Once
on deck, I paused to consider what I should do. Two things I knew for
certain: firstly, that the knife-wound was no accident, for no mere
horse-play could have resulted in such a deep cut; secondly, that Adams
was under the influence of a narcotic. Who had administered it and why?
I recalled the man's delirium and his wandering statements to which at
the time I had paid little heed, and I thought I began to get the clue.
I looked at my watch and found it half-past twelve. Every one, save
those on duty, was abed, and the steamer ploughed steadily through the
trough, a column of smoke swept abaft by the wind and black against the
starlight. I sought my cabin, poured myself out a stiff glass of grog,
and sat down to smoke and think.

At two bells I roused myself and went on deck. How singularly still was
the progress of the vessel! I heard the feet of the officer on the
bridge, and no other sound in all that floating house. A figure like a
statue stood out in the dimness by the chart-house, and I came to a
pause. It turned, and I thought I made out my friend the quartermaster.

"That you, Ellison?" I asked.

"Yes, sir."

"I want to look at that man Adams in the forecastle," I said. "Please
accompany me, as I may need your assistance."

I descended the ladder and went forward till I reached the cabin