he assault of the desperadoes, was their
creature. As these thoughts flashed through my mind it went back
further in a leaf of memory. I recalled the room in the "Three Tuns" on
that dirty November evening; I saw Holgate and the little clerk facing
each other across the table and myself drinking wine with them. There
was the place in which I had made the third officer's acquaintance, and
that had been brought about by Pye. There, too, I had first heard of
Prince Frederic of Hochburg; and back into my memory flashed the
stranger's talk, the little clerk's stare, and Holgate's frown. The
conspiracy had been hatched then. Its roots had gone deep then; from
that moment the _Sea Queen_ and her owner had been doomed.

I turned and left the cabin abruptly and soon was knocking with the
concocted signal on the door. Barraclough admitted me.

"I have it," said I. "Let's find the Prince."

"Man, we can't afford to leave the doors."

"We may be attacked," said he.

"No; they won't venture just yet," I replied. "It's not their game--at
least, not Holgate's. He's giving us time to find the treasure and then
he'll attack."

"I wish you wouldn't talk riddles," said Barraclough shortly.

"I'll speak out when we get to the Prince," I said; and forthwith we
hastened to his room.

"Mr. Morland," I burst out, "Pye came aboard as representing your
solicitors?"

"That is so," he replied with some surprise in his voice and manner.

"He was privy then to your affairs--I refer to your financial affairs?"
I pursued.

"My solicitors in London, whom I chose in preference to German
solicitors, were naturally in possession of such facts relating to
myself as were necessary to their advice," said the Prince somewhat
formally.

"And Pye knew what they knew--the contents of the safes in the
strong-room?"

He inclined his head. "It was intended that he should return from
Buenos Ayres, after certain arrangements had been made for which he
would lend his assistance."

"Then, sir," said I, "Pye has sold us. Pye is the source of the plot;
Pye has the treasure."

"What do you mean?" exclaimed the Prince, rising.

"Why, that Pye has been in league with the mutineers all along,
and--good Lord, now I understand what was the meaning of his hints last
night. He knew the attack was to be made, and he is a coward. He locked
himself up to drink. Now he is gone."

"Gone!" echoed Barraclough and Lane together; and there was momentary
silence, w