the prisoners when on deck, had left his post.

At the fore-hatch four shadowy forms approached him, and then the five
men whispered together.

"Good," said Adair at last. Then they quickly separated.

*****

Six bells had struck when Jacob Bolger opened his cabin door, peered
cautiously about, and then, stepping quickly to Mrs. Clinton's door,
turned the handle without knocking, and entered.

"Why do you come here, Mr. Bolger?" said Marion Clinton, with a
terrified look in her dark eyes. "Do you not know that my husband is
dead and my child dying?" And, holding the infant in her arms, she
barred a nearer approach.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Clinton; but I come as a friend,
first to offer you my poor services in your great affliction, and
secondly--but as a friend still--to warn you of the dangerous step you
have taken in assisting a party of convicts to escape from the ship."

"For Heaven's sake, Mr. Bolger, have some pity on me! My dear husband is
dead, my child has but a few hours--perhaps minutes--to live. Do not add
to my misery."

"I shall not betray _you!_" and he advanced a step nearer to her;
"but it is my duty," and his cunning eyes watched her shrinking figure
keenly, "to prevent these men from escaping." And then he turned as if
to go.

Her courage came back. "Mr. Bolger"--and she placed her hand on his
cuff, shuddering as she did so--"you are not a rich man. Will you--can
I--will a hundred guineas buy your silence? It is all I have. Forget
that which you know. Let these wretched men escape. What harm can it do
you?"

His savage, brutal nature came out, and he laughed coarsely.

"None, but--but you would like to see them get away, would you not?"

"Yes," she answered, looking at him with dulled eyes, "Adair has been
very good to us."

"Well, look here; money cannot buy my silence, but _you_ can. Now do you
know what I mean?"

"No," she answered despairingly. "How should I? What is it you wish me
to do?"

"This"--and he bent his evil-eyed face close to hers--"promise to marry
me three months from now."

She gave a gasping cry, and sank back upon her seat. He followed and
stood over her, and then spoke quickly--

"Ever since I first saw you I have loved you. You are a free woman now,
and I shall have a good position at the settlement."

She made a gesture of horror, and his voice grew savage and threatening.
"And unless you make me that promise I'll give the alarm now, and
Adai