first word you utter will mean a
handkerchief in your mouth."

I stooped down, and dragged him to one side. As I straightened up again
she was facing me, her eyes frankly meeting mine.

"You--you know how I came here?" she asked, as though that was the most
important.

"Of course; I overheard most of the conversation."

"How did you find out? how did you get here?"

"Your door was left ajar, and I found my way through the connecting
bathroom yonder."

"Then--then, we can escape in the same manner."

"I hardly think that will be necessary. I 'll go through our friend's
pockets for his keys." I turned him over, and began the search. "Ah, a
revolver; I thought probable--in protection against a woman, you cur.
Here are keys; now let's see what they fit."

The third one tried unlocked the door, but even as I tried them in the
lock, my mind swiftly reviewed the situation in which this affair left
us, and leaped forward toward a possible solution. It must be open war
from now on. No pretense on my part would ever again win me the
confidence of the man I had fought and conquered. Henceforward, we could
expect no mercy on board. Yet how was it possible to escape, or avoid
discovery? To attempt leaving the _Sea Gull_ before dark would be
suicidal; no boat could be lowered unseen, and even if one reached the
surface of the water, we would surely be overtaken, and brought back.
Yet there was a chance that what had occurred in this cabin could be kept
concealed for a few hours, until darkness gave us better opportunity for
successful action. The memory of what Henley had said to me the evening
before--that he was only technically in command; that for days at a time
he never appeared on deck in person, gave me the clew. If he could be
kept absolutely secure in his cabin, unable to create any alarm, we would
be free to plan our escape. There were but two points of danger to be
guarded against--Herman and the steward. The former, when he returned
from shore, might seek him for final orders, and the latter, if he failed
to appear in the cabin for the regular meal, would endeavor to learn his
desires. I would have to guard against these contingencies, and, with
the first in mind, I stepped across to the bathroom, and was gratified to
learn that the door leading into the mate's stateroom could be locked on
the inside. With this private approach barred I felt confident of being
able to guard the single entrance rem