me the room was unoccupied, and I stepped inside, gazing
about in surprise. It was nearly twice the size of my own apartment,
containing a wide single berth, several comfortable upholstered chairs,
and a large desk, on which stood a sextant, besides several charts, one
unrolled. To my left, close against the side of the vessel was a
narrow door standing ajar, and through the opening I caught sight of a
porcelain bath tub.

Instantly my mind leaped to a conclusion--the first mate was not on
board; he was ashore with the boat party, and that beast Henley, was
entirely alone. He had taken advantage of the opportunity. But what
in God's name could I do! If I broke down the door into his cabin, the
noise would be heard on deck, and besides, the fellow was armed. The
only result of such an effort would be my own imprisonment, leaving her
in more helpless stress than before. Without knowing why, I stepped
around the desk, and peered into the bathroom. It was small, but
perfect in arrangement, and, to my surprise, revealed a second door.
In an instant I understood--this was not Herman's private bath, but was
also used by the Captain; that second door led to the after-cabin. I
was there in two strides, my ear at the crack listening. Nothing
reached me but the murmur of a voice, the words indistinguishable, yet
this was sufficient to convince me that I was on the right trail. The
two were together, and here was an opportunity for me to reach them
unobserved. Slowly, using every precaution to avoid noise, I turned
the knob, and opened the intervening door a scant inch. I could hear
the voice now plainly, but my view was blocked by a heavy curtain.
Breathless, I drew a fold aside, and caught a glimpse of the interior.

Neither occupant was facing in my direction, and both were too deeply
interested to observe. Besides, the possibility of intrusion was not
in their minds. Henley stood beside his desk, the same sneering smile
I had learned to hate, curling his lips, his eyes on her face in a gaze
that was insult. The girl, evidently retreating before him, alarmed by
some word he had uttered, or by his approach, had reached the door, and
grasped the knob. The expression on her face told me she had
discovered it locked, herself a prisoner, and that she had turned in
desperation. Her first, swift, unrestraining speech gave me full
understanding of her despair.

"You have trapped me here--you--you brute," she burst fo