ned this mutiny and the seizing of the treasure?" I
cried. "Why, Holgate, you know well--Holgate and Pye. And who brought
about the rising? Holgate again. Why didn't you push through and get
hold of the treasure at the first? I suppose you were told it was too
difficult. Well, it would have been difficult, but that wasn't the
reason. It was because this man had got his accomplice aft, stealing
the treasure against your coming. And so, when you came, where was it?
Gone! Look here, men; I swear to you I saw this man and Pye gloating
over the treasure they had removed before your coming. Oh, he's a
cunning devil, is Holgate, and he's diddled you!"

There were some murmurs among the mutineers, who looked dubiously at
their master, and Pierce spoke.

"That's all very well, but how are we to know it's not mere bluff?
You're putting up a bluff on us."

Holgate still stood there with his unpleasing smile, and he answered
nothing. It was the truth I had spoken, but now I was to bluff.

"Well, I will prove my words," said I. "You asked me where the treasure
is, and I'll tell you. It was removed from Holgate's hiding-place by me
and hidden in Pye's cabin, and afterwards the Prince and I removed it
again and concealed it."

"Where! Where!" shouted several voices; but Holgate did not budge or
speak.

If we saved this situation, we should at least have a respite, another
chance. There was no alternative but death.

"Why, in its proper place, to be sure," said I. "In the strong-room,
where it should be. I suppose none of you thought of that. You're too
clever for that, Pierce."

"By God!" cried Pierce suddenly.

But at the moment I was startled by a change in Holgate. I had fired a
barrel at random, and now he shot on me a diabolical glance. His eyes
gleamed like creatures about to leap from cover; his lips in a snarl
revealed his teeth. A flash of inspiration came to me, and I knew then
for certain that, wherever the Prince had concealed the treasure, it
was now lying in the very place I had named in the presence of all
those ruffians. Holgate glanced a swift glance from left to right.

"What's he take us for?" he said in a hoarse, fat voice, in which rage
burned and trembled. "Who's he stuffing with these fairy tales?"

Pierce, his thin lips moving, stared at him. "Anyway, it's worth
trying," he said meaningly. "You've had your shot; I'll have mine."

"Damn it, he's fooling you," called out Holgate furiously; but alrea