d opened the chinks between the planks, so that I could see a great
deal of what was done in the state-room, and could hear every word
almost that was spoken by them. I was not aware of this when I selected
this place as my berth, but I found it out on the first night, the light
of the candle shining through the chinks into the darkness by which I
was surrounded outside. Of course, it is when a man is alone with his
wife that he talks on confidential subjects; that I knew well, and hoped
by listening to be able to make some discovery;--what, I had no idea of;
but, with the bad feelings which stimulated me, I determined not to lose
an opportunity. It was not till about a week after I had selected this
berth, that I made any discovery. I had had the watch from six to eight
o'clock, and had gone to bed early. About nine o'clock your father came
into the state-room. Your mother was already in bed. As your father
undressed, your mother said, `Does not that belt worry you a great deal,
my dear?'

"`No,' replied your father, `I am used to it now; it did when I first
put it on, but now I have had it on four days, I do not feel it. I
shall keep it on as long as this weather lasts; there is no saying what
may happen, and it will not do to be looking for the belt at a moment's
warning.'

"`Do you think then that we are in danger?'

"`No, not particularly so, but the storm is very fierce, and the vessel
is old and weak. We may have fine weather in a day or two, or we may
not; at all events, when property of value is at stake, and that
property not my own, I should feel myself very culpable, if I did not
take every precaution.'

"`Well--I wish we were safe home again, my dear, and that my father had
his diamonds, but we are in the hands of God.'

"`Yes, I must trust to Him,' replied your father.

"This circumstance induced me to look through one of the chinks of the
bulkhead, so that I could see your father, and I perceived that he was
unbuckling a belt which was round his body, and which no doubt contained
the diamonds referred to. It was of soft leather, and about eight
inches wide, sewed lengthways and breadthways in small squares, in
which, I presumed the diamonds were deposited. After a time your mother
spoke again.

"`I really think, Henniker, that I ought to wear the belt.'

"`Why so, my dear?'

"`Because it might be the means of my preservation in case of accident.
Suppose, now, we were obliged to aband