t he was going to his death, and then he was evidently clinging to
something, for there was a pause, and in a hoarse yell we heard him
cry--

"Don't kill me, Jarette, and I'll tell you where the money-chests are
stowed."

"You? Why, I know. Over with him!" cried Jarette, and then, uttering
shrieks that horrified us, we saw Walters for a moment above the
bulwarks in the full light of the lanterns, and then he was pitched
outwards, shrieking as he fell, a loud splash and a gurgling noise,
which ceased suddenly, telling us where he had gone down.

The boat was pushed along in the darkness, and without an order being
given.

"See him?" said Mr Brymer, in a hurried whisper.

"No, sir, not yet," growled Bob Hampton.

Almost at that moment there was a wild shriek for help just by the
boat's side, and Dumlow growled out--

"I got him."

Then came a splashing and a repetition of the cry for help, but this
time from the bottom of the boat.

"What has he done wrong?" said Bob Hampton. "Want us to chuck you in
again?"

"Oh, help!" cried Walters piteously.

"What, have you took him aboard?" said a sneering voice overhead.
"Better let him drown. He isn't worth the biscuit and water he'll
want."

"Oh, only wait!" cried Walters, rising up to his knees.

"Wait," snarled Jarette. "Yes, you cur, I will with one of the
shot-guns if you ever come near my ship again. And you, Berriman, and
you, Brymer, take my warning; I've given you your chance, so take it.
If you hang about near here I'll have the signal-gun loaded and sink
you, so be out of sight by daylight. Now push off before you get
something thrown over to go through the bottom of the boat."

There was a low whispering close by me, and then I could just make out
the doctor's figure as he stood up.

"Stop," he shouted. "Mr Jarette, we are not all here."

"What? Why, who is left behind?"

"Mr Denning."

"The sick passenger?"

"And his sister, sir."

"Oh yes, I know, board."

"No, sir, they must come with us. I warn you that Mr Denning's health
is such that he must have medical attendance."

"Oh, I see," cried Jarette, with a sneering laugh. "You are afraid of
missing your job. There, cure the captain. One patient is enough in an
open boat."

"If anything happens to him, sir, you will have to answer for his life."

"You are stupid," sneered Jarette. "You wish to trap me. It would kill
the patient to keep him with you, exposed in an open b