n, and don't talk any flabbergast."

"The money was stolen by you and another person."

"Humph! What other person?"

"To be entirely candid with you, I do not yet know who the other person
is; but a certain contingent event will expose him." He referred to the
return of the fishing vessel, with Ben Seaver, who had handed him the
bag. "You and the other person--to me at present unknown--stole the
money, and concealed it in the Hotel de Poisson."

"In the what?"

"I refer to the fish-house, which was consumed in the conflagration of
ten days ago. After you had knocked me down by hurling a stone at me in
the basest and most unchivalrous manner, on my recovery from the
effects of the blow, I went to the fish-house to sleep, being too late
to return on board. I was in the loft when you and the other person
were below. The floor broke, and I had the misfortune to be
precipitated upon you and your companion in infamy. You ran away; but I
found the gold, and brought it on board. This is my theory, Captain
Dock Vincent."

"This is all a lie!" gasped Dock, putting his hand into his side
pocket.

"On the contrary, it is all the sacred truth."

"See here, steward; you can't fool me. I want that money."

"Allow me to inform you that you cannot have it. In due time it shall
be restored to the rightful owner."

"I can and will have it," said Dock, fiercely, as he took a revolver
from his pocket, and pointed it at the head of the steward.

"I think not," replied Mr. Ebenier, producing his revolver; and,
straightening out his legs under the table, he threw himself into an
attitude as impudent as the human form could assume, while upon his
face played an expression of smiling assurance, which took the ruffian
all aback.

Dock's hand trembled, and the pistol vibrated in his grasp, as he
looked in dismay at the steward's weapon, all capped and cocked, as his
own was not--a circumstance which probably helped Mr. Ebenier in
keeping so cool and self-possessed.

"Why don't you fire, Captain Dock Vincent?" taunted the steward. "If
you move you are a dead man!"

[Illustration: IN THE CABIN OF THE YACHT.--Page 182.]

At this moment a boat touched the side of the vessel; and while the two
men were confronting each other as described, Levi entered the cabin.
He was startled by the array of deadly weapons presented to him as he
descended the steps; but neither Dock nor the steward appeared to
notice him, for each was afraid the o