the same time we will do our utmost to ascertain the truth."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

RETURN TO MALTA--SAIL IN A SCHOONER--SEARCH FOR THE WILLIAM--THE IONIAN
ISLANDS--REACH SMYRNA--SURPRISE THE PIRATES--I PRESERVE THE SHIP FROM
BEING BLOWN UP--MYERS AND HIS TRICKS.

We had a foul wind, and it took us three days to beat back into Malta
harbour. Our return caused much surprise, for it was deemed prudent to
keep Captain Hudson's narrative a secret till we had ascertained what
had become of Delano, lest any of his friends should hear of it, and, by
giving him notice, might enable him to escape. I was again Mr Vernon's
companion on shore, where we went as soon as we had dropped our anchor.
We first bent our steps to the office of Mr Dunnage, as he seemed to
take a warmer and more active interest than anybody else in the
mysterious disappearance of the _Ariadne_. We were shown into the
worthy merchant's private room, where he sat surrounded by piles of tin
boxes, with long bygone dates marked on their sides, and heaps of old
ledgers and journals; with pictures of ships on the walls, and a model
of one of antique build, fully rigged, over an old dark oak press at his
back. Mr Dunnage had a full fresh, Anglo-Saxon countenance, which,
though I at first thought rather grave and cold, after a few minutes'
conversation seemed to beam with kindness and good nature. He looked
grave as we entered, and having motioned us to be seated, shook his head
as he remarked, "I have no news, lieutenant, of the brig, I am grieved
to say. Have you anything to report."

"The worst surmises only, sir," said Mr Vernon; and he then gave him an
account of our having picked up the master and crew of the _Helen_, and
of the outrage they had suffered.

Mr Dunnage listened with deep interest.

"Ah! that fully accounts for a circumstance which has puzzled me
exceedingly. That very brig, the _William_, belongs to my friends,
Hodge, Podge, and Company, of Liverpool; and I am sure they would have
consigned her to me, had they intended her to come here. Here she came,
however, consigned to a Jew, a man of very disreputable character; and I
understand that she discharged but a very small part of her cargo. We
must try and find out what has become of it, and see if Captain Hudson
can identify any portion of it. When I sent down to inquire about her,
I found that she had sailed again, and, it was reported, had proceeded
up to the Levant. Altogether