than I bargained for," he inwardly commented. "But I
wanted excitement, and now I have got it. If only I can keep my head
level, I may get something out of this, if not all I could wish."

Meantime the second boat was very nearly on them. He could mark the
three figures and pick out Wellgood's head from among the rest. It had
a resolute air; the face on which, to his evident discomfiture, the
moon shone, wore a look which convinced the detective that this was no
patent-medicine manufacturer, nor even a caterer's assistant, but a man
of nerve and resources, the same, indeed, whom he had encountered in
Mr. Fairbrother's house, with such disastrous, almost fatal, results to
himself.

The discovery, though an unexpected one, did not lessen his sense of the
extreme helplessness of his own position. He could witness, but he could
not act; follow Mr. Grey's orders, but indulge in none of his own. The
detective must continue to be lost in the valet, though it came hard and
woke a sense of shame in his ambitious breast.

Meanwhile Wellgood had seen them and ordered his men to cease rowing.

"Give way, there," he shouted. "We're for the launch and in a hurry."

"There's some one here who wants to speak to you, Mr. Wellgood,"
Sweetwater called out, as respectfully as he could. "Shall I mention
your name?" he asked of Mr. Grey.

"No, I will do that myself." And raising his voice, he accosted the
other with these words: "I am the man, Percival Grey, of Darlington
Manor, England. I should like to say a word to you before you embark."

A change, quick as lightning and almost as dangerous, passed over the
face Sweetwater was watching with such painful anxiety; but as the other
added nothing to his words and seemed to be merely waiting, he shrugged
his shoulders and muttered an order to his rowers to proceed.

In another moment the sterns of the two small craft swung together, but
in such a way that, by dint of a little skilful manipulation on the part
of Wellgood's men, the latter's back was toward the moon.

Mr. Grey leaned toward Wellgood, and his face fell into shadow also.

"Bah!" thought the detective, "I should have managed that myself. But if
I can not see I shall at least hear."

But he deceived himself in this. The two men spoke in such low whispers
that only their intensity was manifest. Not a word came to Sweetwater's
ears.

"Bah!" he thought again, "this is bad."

But he had to swallow his disappointment, and