a certain
unsuspected mental disorder brought about by the long series of unusual
experiences through which I had passed, beginning with the destruction
of the _Saturn_. In any case, whether my suspicions were well founded
or otherwise, there could be no disputing the fact that the two seamen
were turbulent, unruly, violent characters, liable at any moment to
become dangerous; and therefore they must be carefully watched. As for
voluntarily furnishing them with weapons, and so rendering them ten
times more dangerous than they already were, if Svorenssen really
imagined I would do such a thing he must surely have set me down for a
fool.

From this time forward, without appearing to do so, I maintained a close
watch upon both men, noting and weighing their every word, and
endeavouring to deduce from their general conduct, and especially from
their demeanour toward myself, whether or not they were really hatching
a plot against me; but for rather more than a week I was unable to
detect anything to justify the least apprehension on my part. Of course
it was impossible for me to observe the pair when they were alone
together after the day's work was done, but although Svorenssen
maintained his usual surly demeanour I attached little importance to
that, for I believed it to be natural to him, while there was no doubt
that both men were working steadily and well.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

A TRAGIC END TO OUR TROUBLES.

On a certain evening, some eight or ten days after that outburst on the
part of the Finn in connection with his demand for weapons, Billy
remarked to me, apropos of nothing in particular, as we sat together
studying as usual:

"That Dutchman is a queer chap and no mistake, Mr Blackburn. He will
sit for hours, saying never a word but: `Billy, pass me that,' or
`Billy, take hold of this,' and then all of a sudden he'll begin to
chatter like a parrot."

"Really!" said I. "And what does he chatter about?"

"Oh, all sorts of things," answered Billy, "chiefly about what he and
Svorenssen went through before they joined us here. And he likes to
hear how _we_ managed, too, before we settled down on Eden. Do you
know, I'm beginning to think he's not such a bad sort of chap after all.
He seems to admire you immensely."

"Does he, indeed?" I commented dryly. "In what particular way does he
reveal his admiration?"

"Well," said Billy, "he thinks you are perfectly wonderful, every way.
Wonderfully clever