e."

"I promise you that," I said, nodding.

"It's the boatswain's plot," he whispered, "and he has more'n half the
men. They are going to rise ere ever we get to Buenos Ayres. But I was
no party to their plans," he continued feverishly, and as if anxious to
convince me, "that's why I've this knife, doctor, because I'm an honest
man."

I had more than my doubts of that, but I nodded again.

"You have only done your duty in telling me, Adams," said I, "and I'll
keep my promise, provided you hold your tongue about this. They have
given you a dose of morphia, and it's lucky it wasn't bigger. If you do
what I tell you, we'll have you right in a couple of days."

I made him drink a draught I had brought with me, and, closing the
door, left him. A passage led from here to the men's quarters, and as I
came out, I signed to Ellison to be noiseless, and put out the light.
Then we moved towards the hatchway. When we reached it I happened to
glance round at Ellison, and through that brooding darkness, lightened
only by a dim swinging lamp, I thought I saw a flitting shadow. But the
next swing of the boat threw the light clear into the corner, and there
was nothing. We emerged on the lower deck, and thence regained the
quarterdeck. There was a bright light in the chart-room, and I led
the way thither. I closed the door and turned on the quartermaster.
His face was grey, and his hand trembled.

"You heard?" said I.

"Yes, sir," he replied, and hesitated. "But he's wandering, sir, ain't
he?"

"My man," said I, "I'm a doctor--leave that much to me. I only want to
know if you heard. That is all your part. No, there is one thing more.
What about the hands?"

"They're a pretty mixed lot, sir, not exactly what I would call yacht
hands, but----"

"Were you engaged with them?" I interrupted sharply.

"No, sir, Sir John he got me on. I've sailed with him before."

"Thank the Lord for that," I said heartily, for I had begun to suspect
every one. The voyage was a nightmare, I thought.

"Who is the officer in charge?" I asked.

"Mr. Legrand, sir," said Ellison.

The second mate and I had had few exchanges. He was a reserved man, and
devoted to his duty. Besides, as navigating officer he had his full
share of responsibility for the safety of the ship. I moved out of the
chart-house, leaving the quartermaster in a maze of bewilderment, and,
I think, incredulity. The stars illumined the figure of the second
officer on the bridg