r. A beam
from the portholes of the saloon caught Aguilar's erect figure. He sat
down, poling as well as he could from the new position. When they were a
little nearer he stopped dead, holding the punt firm by means of the pole
fixed in the mud.

"He's there afore us!" he murmured, pointing.

Under the Maltese cross of electric lights at the inner end of the gangway
could clearly be seen the form of Mr. Hurley, engaged in conversation with
Mr. Gilman. Mr. Hurley was fairly on board.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

IN THE UNIVERSE

When Audrey, having been put ashore in execution of a plan arranged with
those naturally endowed strategists, Aguilar and Jane Foley, arrived at the
Hard by way of the sea-wall, Mr. Hurley was still in parley with Mr.
Gilman under the Maltese cross of electric lights. From the distance Mr.
Gilman had an air of being somewhat intimidated by the Irishman, but as
soon as he distinguished the figure of Audrey at the shore end of the
gangway his muscles became mysteriously taut, and his voice charged with
defiance.

"I have already told you, sir," Audrey heard him say, "there is no such
person aboard the yacht. And I most certainly will not allow you to search.
You have no right whatever to search, and you know it. You have my word.
My name is Gilman. You may have heard of me. I'm chairman of the Board of
Foodstuffs, Limited. Gilman, sir. And I shall feel obliged if you will
leave my decks."

"Are you sailing to-night?" asked Mr. Hurley placidly.

"What the devil has that got to do with you, sir?" replied Mr. Gilman
gloriously.

Audrey, standing behind the detective and unseen by him, observed the
gloriousness of Mr. Gilman's demeanour and also Mr. Gilman's desire that
she should note the same and appreciate it. She nodded violently several
times to Mr. Gilman, to urge him to answer the detective in the
affirmative.

"Ye-es, sir. Since you are so confoundedly inquisitive, I am sailing
to-night. I shall sail as soon as the tide serves," said Mr. Gilman
hurriedly and fiercely, and then glanced again at Audrey for further
approval.

"Where for?" Mr. Hurley demanded.

"Where I please, sir," Mr. Gilman snorted. By this time he evidently
imagined that he was furious, and was taking pleasure in his fury.

Mr. Hurley, having given a little ironic bow, turned to leave and found
himself fronting Audrey, who stiffly ignored his salute. The detective
gone, Mr. Gilman walked to and fro, breathing mo