slab of coral stone.

The Spaniard leant with folded arms upon the wall, and for some minutes
intently regarded the emblem of Christianity; then, stepping over the
wall, he walked up to the graves, took off his cap, and knelt beside
the cross, bending his head reverently before it.

Hidden behind the boles of the coco-palms Barry and Velo watched and
listened, for now and then a sob would escape the man as he prayed and
made the sign of the cross. Suddenly he laid himself down upon the
grave, placed his outspread hands upon the foot of the stone, and the
listeners heard him weeping.

"Mother of Christ, and Jesus Most Merciful, forgive me my sins," he
cried, rising to his knees and clasping his hands. "Here, before Thy
cross, I plead for mercy. Holy and Blessed Virgin, help and save me,
for no longer can I bear the guilt which is on my soul."

Again he bent his head and prayed silently; then he rose, put on his
cap, stepped over the low wall, and set off almost at a run towards the
village.

Barry and Velo followed him till he reached their house. Here for a
moment or two he stood before the entrance as if in doubt. Then he
went inside and called--

"Where are you, Mr. Barry?"

"Here," said Barry, stepping forward. "What is the matter, Barradas?
You look ill. Sit down."

"Yes, I will sit down, for I have something to tell you--something that
I should have told you long ago. I will make a clean breast of it
all--before I go mad. Mr. Barry, your life is in danger. Rawlings and
the Greek mean to murder you before the brig reaches Singapore."

Barry drew an empty case up to the rude table and sat down.

"I don't doubt it," he said quietly. "Now tell me, before you go any
further, the true story of Tracey's death."

"As God is my witness, I will tell you all--all. Tracey was not mate;
he was captain and owner."

"I know all that--have known it for some time, but I want to know how
he died."

"Rawlings shot him. One day in Sydney Tracey came on board
unexpectedly and found him in his cabin making a tracing of a chart of
this lagoon. I heard them quarrelling, and then heard a shot. When I
ran below Tracey was dead--Rawlings had shot him through the head.
That was two days before you came on board. But let me tell you
all--from the very beginning."

* * * * * *

"You had better go on board now," Barry said to Barradas half an hour
later. "I will trust you to hel