to accord with the name of Leatham's skipper, and
then came Benson's voice raised in agreement.

The two men passed out of the shed and moved to the edge of the wharf,
pursuing a desultory discussion, the drift of which Merriman could not
catch. The greater part of an hour passed, when first Benson and then
Menzies began to stare eastwards down the river. It seemed evident
to Merriman that the Girondin was in sight, and he began to hope that
something more INTERESTING would happen. But the time dragged wearily
for another half-hour, until he heard the bell of the engine-room
telegraph and the wash of the screw. A moment later the ship appeared,
drew alongside, and was berthed, all precisely as had happened before.

As soon as the gangway was lowered, Benson sprang aboard, and running
up the ladder to the bridge, eagerly addressed Captain Beamish. Merriman
could not hear what was said, but he could see the captain shaking his
head and making little gestures of disapproval. He watched him go to the
engine room tube and speak down it. It was evidently a call to Bulla,
for almost immediately the engineer appeared and ascended to the bridge,
where all three joined in a brief discussion. Finally Benson came to the
side of the ship and shouted something to Menzies, who at once went on
board and joined the group on the bridge. Merriman saw Benson introduce
him to the others, and then apparently explain something to him. Menzies
nodded as if satisfied and the conversation became general.

Merriman was considerably thrilled by this new development. He imagined
that Benson while, for the benefit of Menzies, ostensibly endeavoring
to make the arrangements agreed on, had in reality preceded the pilot on
board in order to warn the captain of the proposal, and arrange with him
some excuse for keeping the ship where she was for the night. Bulla had
been sent for to acquaint him with the situation, and it was not until
all three were agreed as to their story that Menzies was invited to join
the conclave. To Merriman it certainly looked as if the men were going
to fall into the trap which he and his friends had prepared, and he
congratulated himself on having adhered to his program and hidden
himself in the barrel, instead of leaving the watching to be done by
Menzies, as he had been so sorely tempted to do. For it was clear to him
that if any secret work was to be done Menzies would be got out of the
way until it was over. Merriman wa