this suspicious gentleman and his wife, although
I doubt whether we shall get much out of them."

"We are not likely to get much out of the junk either," said Jack,
pointing at her. "Look there!"

As he spoke the junk, towards which the frigate was steering, was seen
to lift her bows, and immediately afterwards a loud report was heard;
her stern and after decks were blown into fragments, and in a few
seconds she disappeared beneath the surface.

"Our friend there had no intention that we should make a further
examination of the craft," observed Jack. "Depend upon it, he had taken
effectual measures to prevent us from doing so after he had secured in
his chest the most valuable property on board."

"We have no proof that he was instrumental in her destruction, though
the circumstances are suspicious," said Murray. "He will of course tell
us what he thinks fit as to the cause of her sudden foundering and the
explosion on board, while we are prevented from making any further
examination of the signs of a conflict, which you suppose must have
taken place. We will, however, try to get some information out of the
man."

A few fragments of wood floating on the surface was all that remained of
the junk, as the frigate, now again put on her proper course, passed
over the spot where she had lately floated. Notwithstanding the
suspicions which were entertained about Mr Jull, Captain Murray wishing
to treat the man's wife with consideration, ordered a screen to be put
up on the main-deck, where she might be in private and have the chest
under her eye. He then sent for Mr Jull to come into the cabin, where
he, with Jack and the first lieutenant, were seated.

Jonathan Jull persisted in the story he had given to Jack, stating that
he had commanded an opium clipper, which had been cast away; and that he
had simply taken a passage with his wife on board the junk to go to
Shanghai, where he expected to find other employment. He glibly
announced the name of his craft, the _Swallow_, as well as the names of
his officers, and was running on with those of his crew when he was
stopped.

"That is not necessary at present," observed Captain Murray. But Mr
Jull seemed to be anxious that there should be no suspicion resting on
him. He next mentioned her tonnage and armament, and indeed everything
about her.

"All very good," said Captain Murray; "but can you account for the signs
of violence which we observed on board the junk