d with his own bunch of
keys, placing the others--which he easily surmised belonged to all the
locking doors in the boat--in another pocket. Then he lay back to finish
his smoke. But Sampson opened his door, and interrupted.

"You'll excuse me, sir," he began, while Denman peered critically at him
through the smoke. "But I suppose you know what we've just done?"

"Yes," he answered. "I could see a little and hear more. You've held up
and robbed an oil steamer."

"And is it piracy, sir, in the old sense--a hanging matter if we're
caught?"

"Hardly know," said Denman, after a moment's reflection. "Laws are
repealed every now and then. Did you kill any one?"

"No, sir."

"Well, I judge that a pirate at sea is about on the same plane as a
burglar on shore. If he kills any one while committing a felony, he is
guilty of murder in the first degree. Better not kill any fellow men,
then you'll only get a long term--perhaps for life--when you're nabbed."

"Thank you, Mr. Denman. They're talking big things on deck,
but--there'll be no killing. Forsythe is something of a devil and will
stop at nothing, but I'll--"

"Pardon me," said Denman, lazily, "he'll stop at me if you release me."

"Not yet, sir. It may be necessary, but at present we're thinking of
ourselves."

"All right. But, tell me, how did you get a key to my door? How many
keys are there?"

"Oh, from Billings, sir. Not with Forsythe's knowledge, however.
Billings, and some others, think no more of him than I do."

"That's right," responded Denman. "I knew him at school. Look out for
him. By the way, is the lady aft being attended to?"

"Yes, sir. Daniels, the other cook, brings her what she needs. She is
not locked up, though."

"That's good. Give her the run of the deck, and take care of her."

"Yes, sir, we will," answered Sampson, as respectfully as though it were
a legitimate order--for force of habit is strong. Then he left the room,
locking the door behind him.

Denman smoked until he had finished the cigar, and, after he had eaten a
supper brought by Billings, he smoked again until darkness closed down.
And with the closing down of darkness came a plan.

CHAPTER X

Tossing his cigar through the opened deadlight, Denman arose and
unlocked his door, passing into the small and empty wardroom. First, he
tried the forward door leading into the petty officers' quarters and to
the armroom, and, finding it locked, sought for the key which opened