he whistled shrilly through his teeth.

Instantaneously (for they must have been in waiting) half a dozen of
the mutineers dashed through the doorway, and, before any of us could
finger a weapon, we were in their grip. It was the simplest booby-trap
that ever was laid, and yet it was prepared with consummate skill. He
had come alone and unarmed; he had held us in converse; and when we had
lost our sense of suspicion and precaution he had brought his men upon
us. Down went the lid of the trap! I could have kicked myself.

Legrand struggled, as did Barraclough; but what did resistance avail?
The infamous Pierce, who had me on one side, twisted my arm in warning
lest I should kick futilely against the pricks.

"Steady!" said I. "It is not a question of war just now, but of
parley," and I raised my voice so as to be heard above the noise. "What
does this mean, Holgate? More treachery of a special black die?"

He seated himself on the barricade. "You may call it revenge," said he,
considering me. "I exonerate Sir John, and I think Legrand there, but
cuss me if I'm sure about you."

"You're a black traitor!" cried Barraclough, impotently fierce.

"Whoa there, Sir John, whoa there!" said the mutineer equably. "I've
already said I exonerate you; but, hang it, man, you're a flat. They've
diddled you. I'm no traitor. I'd have struck to my bargain and trusted
you, but by the Lord, what am I to do when I find I'm dealing with a
pack of hucksters?"

"What's your game?" repeated Legrand, blowing hard. Holgate indicated
Barraclough. "If he had carried out his part I was prepared to carry
out mine; as he hasn't----" He left his end in space.

"You haven't the treasure?" I cried in surprise; but Holgate's gaze had
gone beyond us and was directed at something down the corridor. I moved
my head with difficulty, and, as I did so, I saw Holgate take a
revolver from one of his men. He sat fingering it; and that was all I
observed, for my eyes, slewing round, had caught sight of the Prince
and Princess. The Prince moved heavily towards us, with an uncertain
gait, and Alix's face was full of terror and wonder. In that instant I
remembered something, and I saw in my mind's eye the figure of the
Prince labouring through the doorway that gave access to the stairs to
the lower deck. It was he who had removed the treasure, and Holgate had
been cheated a second time.

Even as this revelation came to me, I wondered at the self-restraint of