r responsibility, I come hither to discover what
steps you propose taking to insure the safety of the stone."

Now it hath come under my observation that if a man be permitted to talk
without let or stay, he will sooner or later betray that which lieth
upon his mind. So from the very moment that Captain Leach uttered his
last speech I conceived the darkest and most sinister suspicions of his
purposes; nor from that time did I trust one single word that he said,
or repose confidence in any of his actions, but was ready to see in
everything something to awaken my doubts of his rectitude. Nor did these
sentiments arise entirely from his words, but equally as much from my
having discovered him, as it were, so prying upon my privacy.

"Sir," said I, rising from my seat, "I am infinitely obliged to you for
your kindness in this affair, but as I have at present matters of
considerable import that demand my closest attention, I must beg you to
excuse me."

Captain Leach looked at me for a moment or two as though he had it upon
his mind to say something further. However, he did not speak, but
rising, delivered a very profound bow, and left the cabin without
another word. But there was no gainsaying the wisdom of the advice
which he had given me as to concealing the treasure. Accordingly I
obtained from the carpenter a basket of tools, and, bearing in mind the
late visit with which he had favored me, having shaded the little window
in the door of my cabin, I stripped off my coat and waistcoat, and after
an hour or so of work, made shift to rig up a very snug little closet
with a hinged door, in the bottom of my berth and below the mattress,
wherein I hid the jewel. After that I breathed more freely, for I felt
that the treasure could not be discovered without a long and careful
search, the opportunities for which were not likely to occur.

Although my interview with Captain Leach might seem of small and
inconsiderable moment to any one coolly reading this narrative in the
privacy of his closet, yet coming to me as it did upon the heels of my
other interview with Mr. Longways, it cast me into such disquietude of
spirit as I had not felt for a long time. I would have heaved anchor
and away, without losing one single minute of delay, had it been
possible for me to have done so; but not a breath of air was stirring,
and there was nothing for it but to ride at anchor where we were,
though, what with the heat and delay, it was all t