on the
cord. Then it was left dangling against the closed port, leaving me to
infer that she was reading the hasty note.

I must have hung there gazing down into the black shadows for two or
three minutes, before my line was again hauled taut, but, as I
straightened up, prepared to haul up the returning message, I saw the
shadow of a man passing across the cabin below. He was already at the
foot of the companion stairs; in another minute would be on deck.
There was no time to do otherwise, and I released my grasp of the rope,
letting it drop silently into the water. I had barely turned my back
to the rail when Henley emerged within six feet of me. For an instant
his gaze was forward, and then, as his eyes accustomed themselves to
the darkness, he turned slightly and perceived me, peering at me in
uncertainty.

"Who is this? Oh, you, Craig," he questioned sharply. "Not asleep
yet?"

"Not even drowsy," I said, pretending an ease I was far from feeling.
"The crack on my head yesterday pains considerable, and besides I
wanted to think over your proposition a bit."

"You must have the skull of an elephant, or a negro, to have any head
at all," he agreed, apparently satisfied. "But I would advise sleep
nevertheless. You think favorably of my plan, I hope."

"I see no reason to refuse, if the pay is all right."

"It will be; trust me for that. A beautiful night this--the air as
soft as June. I was about to turn in, but decided to take a whiff on
deck first."

"Rather a captain's duty, is it not?"

"I believe so, in regular service, but this is decidedly irregular.
The fact is, that while I am the owner of this vessel, and technically
in command, I am no navigator. I merely give my general orders, and
trust the seamanship to Herman. He is perfectly trustworthy and
capable, and I never interfere. The last voyage I doubt if I was on
deck twice, although, of course," he added soberly, "my word goes if I
should care to exercise authority."

I remained silent, staring out across the water, endeavoring to
reconcile his statements, and wondering what message it was I had
dropped into the deep.

"What are those lights off yonder?" I asked, at length, pointing.

"Shore lights."

"Then we are steering east?"

"A bit south of east, yes; odd course for Honduras, you think?"

I nodded, willing enough to let him talk.

"We are playing the game safe, Craig; that's all," he explained, both
hands gripping the r