, sprang to
their feet and with one bound were upon their intended prisoner. They
bore him to the earth and held him secure, while Berwick quickly bound
his hands behind his back.

Greatly to the surprise of all, the steward offered no resistance and
made no effort whatever to escape. He hung his head on seeing whom his
captors were and looked like a man suffering abjectly.

"Quick, you villain," cried Jo, grasping his arm. "Where is my brother?"

Without hesitation came the answer, "He is quite safe. He has escaped."

"How can we know?"

The steward looked only at the professor and for answer said, "May I
speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Certainly not. Say openly what you have to say," was the answer.

"I think," interposed Berwick, "I would grant his request. It can do no
harm."

The boys and Berwick separated, each taking a few steps in different
directions so as to prevent any possible attempt at escape.

The two thus left alone, although under close observation, conversed
earnestly for a few moments, and then the professor called the others
together.

"It is a deplorable matter," said the professor. "This man is deserving
of condemnation and of punishment. He has been a traitor to our cause,
but he admits fully his crime and wants to atone in any way he can. Jim,
he says, was confined on board the Marjorie, but he himself helped him
to escape and he believes that Jim is now safe and sound, probably by
this time on board the Storm King."

"How can we be sure of that?" Jo asked.

"We have only this man's word, and in a sense his word is valueless, but
he can go with us and we can deal with him accordingly, if he tells not
the truth."

"What's happening on the Marjorie?" asked Berwick.

The steward did not know. He told of liberating Jim, who had gotten into
the Sea Eagle's dory, and had ordered the two Swedes who manned the
oars, and who of course did not know him, to row him ashore. The
steward, filled with remorse for his treachery to the professor, had
later swam to the land and, uncertain what to do, now really welcomed
his capture.

"We will leave your fate to later consideration," said the professor,
"and if Jim is not found on board, it will go hard with you."

The other made no protest to this decision and promptly they undertook
the return journey to their ship.

Every precaution was taken to prevent the escape of the steward, but he
made no effort in that direction. He walked with