g altogether from my mind any apprehension
that this attack upon us had any connection with the inheritance of
Philip Henley. These people were lawless enough, without doubt--the
murders already committed were evidence of that--but all they desired
so far as we were personally concerned, was to get us safely out of the
way, where we could no longer interfere with their plans. What those
plans might be I could merely conjecture, with little enough to guide
my guessing. They might be filibusters, connected with some revolution
along the Central American coast, smugglers, or marauders of even less
respectability. Their methods were desperate enough for any deeds of
crime. Without doubt they utilized this comparatively forsaken lagoon
as a hidden rendezvous, and the deserted Henley plantation--from which
even the negroes had been frightened away--was an ideal spot for them
to meet in, plan their raids, or secrete their spoils. These fellows
were doubtless the ghosts which haunted the place, and had given it so
uncanny a reputation throughout the neighborhood. They would naturally
resent any interference, any change in ownership, or control.
Possibly, if they were thieves, as I more than half suspected, they had
loot buried nearby, and were anxious to get us out of the way long
enough to remove it unobserved. This appealed to me as by far the most
probable explanation.

I had cleaned the dishes, and was sitting on the stool, leaning back
against the wall, already becoming sleepy, listening to the rhythmic
pulsation of the engines at low speed, when the door opened again, and
the guard stood revealed before me in the glare of light.

"The old man wants you," he explained brusquely, waving his hand aft as
though specifying the direction. "Come on, now."

"What does he want?"

"How the hell do I know! But let me tell you, his orders go on this
boat."

I preceded him along the narrow passage, utterly indifferent to the
threat in his manner, but still conscious that one hand gripped the
butt of his revolver. Without doubt the fellow had orders to be
vigilant, and, perhaps, would even welcome some excuse for violence. I
gave him none, however, hopeful that the approaching interview might
yield new information. The cabin was unoccupied, the table swung up
against the beams of the upper deck, the heavy chairs moved back
leaving a wide open space. The furnishings were rich, in excellent
taste, the carpet a soft, g