worry," said Locke. "Nobody's going to cheat you, and
I'm here to see that they don't. But I'd keep quiet about my
dreams, if I wanted to go on to the island, or we'll be back in
Manila in three shakes of a lamb's tail."

"Very good, sir," said Dinshaw.

Trask was between two minds to tell Locke that his pistol had been
stolen, for while he placed little credence in what Dinshaw had
said, he began to wonder if there wasn't something going on aboard
the schooner that promised trouble. What if Dinshaw had not been
dreaming after all? Suppose Peth and Jarrow were plotting to play
all hands double?

But it would be silly to abandon the voyage just as they were about
to arrive at the island, and while undoubtedly there had been
gossip and conjecture about the island, it was quite possible that
if Dinshaw had overheard some light talk, he had misinterpreted
its import.

Trask knew that Locke's attitude was now such that if he reported
the theft of the pistol, Locke would decline to go forward another
mile, an idea which Trask could not bring himself to consider for
various reasons, the most important being that he did not want to
say farewell to Marjorie Locke and see her sail away to the United
States.

And as there being any actual danger from Jarrow and Peth, other
than such as might result from a serious quarrel between the two,
he considered a piece of absurdity.

As Trask thought the thing over later in the evening, however, he
realized that his own deductions and desires were selfish, and that
after all he could not assume the entire responsibility for
Marjorie's safety. He knew it was only fair to take Locke into his
confidence regarding what had happened.

So, getting Locke below in the cabin while the others were on deck,
Trask told Locke that his pistol was missing. But Locke treated the
matter lightly, and said he did not believe it could have any
significance. It was his opinion that the weapon had been stolen
by some of the crew, and he rather suspected Doc Bird. He said he
would speak to the captain about it after they arrived at the
island, and that the steward's quarters should be searched and Doc
questioned, but he doubted the advisability of making what he
called a rumpus about it now, especially as Marjorie might be
worried and he wanted her to get a good night's sleep.

Trask let the business rest there and went up with Locke again to
enjoy the brilliant moonlight and listen to the impromptu c