r,
and, despite a position regarded by the gloomy Mr. Duckett as teeming
with perils, the captain turned a bright and confident eye on the _Fair
Emily_, anchored in the harbour.

"We ought to have gone straight to Biddlecombe," said Mr. Duckett,
following his glance; "it would have looked better. Not that anything'll
make much difference."

"And everybody in a flutter of excitement telegraphing off to the
owners," commented the captain. "No, we'll tell our story first; quiet
and comfortable-like. Say it over again."

"I've said it three times," objected Mr. Duckett; "and each time it
sounds more unreal than ever."

"It'll be all right," said Brisket, puffing at his cigar. "Besides,
we've got no choice. It's that or ruin, and there's nobody within
thousands of miles to contradict us. We bring both the ship and the map
back to 'em. What more can they ask?"

[Illustration: "'It'll be all right,' said Brisket, puffing at his
cigar."]

"You'll soon know," said the pessimistic Mr. Duckett. "I wonder whether
they'll have another shot for the treasure when they get that map back?"

"I should like to send that Captain Bowers out searching for it," said
Brisket, scowling, "and keep him out there till he finds it. It's all
his fault. If it hadn't been for his cock-and-bull story we shouldn't
ha' done what we did. Hanging's too good for him."

"I suppose it's best for them not to know that there's no such island?"
hazarded Mr. Duckett.

"O' course," snapped his companion. "Looks better for us, don't it,
giving them back a map worth half a million. Now go through the yarn
again and I'll see whether I can pick any holes in it. The train goes in
half an hour."

Mr. Duckett sighed and, first emptying his mug, began a monotonous
recital. Brisket listened attentively.

"We were down below asleep when the men came running down and overpowered
us. They weighed anchor at night, and following morning made you, by
threats, promise to steer them to the island. You told me on the quiet
that you'd die before you betrayed the owners' trust. How did they know
that the island the gentlemen were on wasn't the right one? Because Sam
Betts was standing by when you told me you'd made a mistake in your
reckoning and said we'd better go ashore and tell them."

"That's all right so far, I think," said Brisket, nodding.

"We sailed about and tried island after island just to satisfy the men
and seize our opportunity," co