and the
other chap are dead."

"Dead!"

"Aye, both of 'em."

"How do you know?" said Barry quickly.

"The _Eclipse_, man-of-war, brought the news from Noumea last week.
Here's the account of it," and he spread a newspaper out on the table,
and pointed to an article headed--"Tragedy in the South Seas."

"Wait a moment," cried Barry excitedly, as springing from his seat he
tapped at the door of Mrs. Tracey's cabin. "Come out quickly, please."

The door opened and Mrs. Tracey, without waiting for an introduction,
first shook hands with the old mate. "You are Mr. Watson! I guessed
who you were the moment you came on board, and I heard your voice. Now
what is the matter, Captain Barry?"

"Read this, Mrs. Tracey," he replied, spreading the paper out on the
cabin table. Stooping beside him they read it together:---

"Just as the _Eclipse_ was leaving New Caledonia, the gunboat _Reynard_
arrived, and reported having spoken the Hawaiian brig _Mahina_ in the
vicinity of the Banks' Group. The acting master informed the commander
of the gunboat that he had on board in confinement two men who, some
months previously, had murdered the captain of the brig, and seized the
vessel. By the aid of some natives, the chief officer succeeded in
retaking her, and the two men were over-powered and placed in heavy
irons. Commander Martyn, of the _Reynard_, consented to take charge of
them, as the brig was deeply laden, and likely to make a long passage
to Sydney. They were at once transferred to the gunboat, which then
proceeded on her voyage to Noumea.

"About a week afterwards one of the two, a powerfully built Italian or
Greek, who was of a sullen and savage disposition, was relieved of his
irons for half an hour by the doctor's orders, and placed on deck with
his companion, as he complained of a severe pain in his chest. This
was evidently a ruse, for while the sentry's back was turned for a
moment the Greek seized his fellow pirate (who was in irons) by the
waist, and leapt overboard with him. They sank immediately, the Greek,
no doubt, having determined to drown with the other man.

"Fuller particulars of the seizure of the brig, and her recapture, will
be looked forward to with interest on her arrival here. It is stated
that she has a cargo of 'golden-edge' pearl shell worth over 40,000
pounds."

Mrs. Tracey shuddered, and covered her face with her hands. "Heaven
forgive them their crimes," she murmured.