to prize up the panelling, there would be a devil of
a row; not only the six bells in this cabin but those in the captain's
and chief mate's room would begin to ring, and keep ringing, and they
and the chief engineer would know something was wrong. We have tried it
several times when in dock, after clearing every one out of the ship but
ourselves, and it works splendidly--kicks up a fearful din. Now, last
voyage, independent of ten thousand ounces of gold in the strong room, I
had seventeen thousand pounds in notes and sovereigns in that safe;
this trip there is only about one thousand two hundred pounds, mostly
passengers' money, and a packet of five thousand new unsigned one pound
notes for the bank just opened at Cooktown. Now, I hope with four such
gentry as we have on board that you and Mr Fraser will be careful;
better give me your cash."

"Thank you, I will," said Fraser; "I have seven hundred pounds in
notes."

"And I about three hundred pounds," said Gerrard.

"Well, go and get them now if you will," said the obliging purser.

This was done, and then the two friends, as they were returning to the
bridge, met Kate.

"I have honours conferred on me, father. Captain MacAlister is having
afternoon tea in his cabin, and you, Mr Gerrard, and Jim are invited;
I am to be hostess. In another hour I shall be the best hated woman on
board."

CHAPTER XXI

It was past midnight, and the chief steward of the Gambier was taking a
last glance through the empty saloon to see that everything was in order
before he turned in, when Swires, the purser's bedroom steward, came to
him.

"If you please, sir, the gentlemen in No. 16 send their compliments, and
would be obliged to you if you will let them have their lights on full
for an hour or so for a game. And they want a couple of bottles of
Usher's and a dozen of soda."

"Why can't they play cards in the-smoking-room on deck?" grumbled the
chief steward; "there's a man on duty there until two o'clock--they know
that well enough. Who's going to wait on them, and see after the
lights?"

"I will, sir, if you don't mind," replied Swires, a clean-shaven,
deferential young man with shifty eyes.

"Well, it's against the rules. And if the skipper or the purser comes
along, and finds you loafing about in, the alley-way when you ought
to be turned in, I'll get into trouble as well as yourself. Captain
Forreste is a very liberal gentleman, but he puts it on a bit too thic