unless he treats me ill."

Marables then left me, and I reflected upon what he had said. It
appeared all very probable; but still I was not satisfied. I resolved
to watch narrowly, and if anything occurred which excited more
suspicions, to inform Mr Drummond upon our return. Shortly afterwards
Marables came out again, and told me I might go to bed, and he would
keep the deck till Fleming's return. I assented, and went down to the
cuddy; but I did not much like this permission. It appeared to me as if
he wanted to get rid of me, and I laid awake, turning over in my mind
all that I had heard and seen. About two o'clock in the morning I heard
the sound of oars, and the skiff strike the side of the barge. I did
not go up, but I put my head up the scuttle to see what was going on.
It was broad moonlight, and almost as clear as day. Fleming threw up
the painter of the skiff to Marables, and, as he held it, lifted out of
the boat a blue bag, apparently well filled. The contents jingled as it
was landed on the deck. He then put out a yellow silk handkerchief full
of something else, and having gained the deck, Marables walked aft with
the painter in his hand until the skiff had dropped astern, where he
made it fast, and returned to Fleming, who stood close to the blue bag.
I heard Fleming ask Marables, in a low voice, if I were in bed, and an
answer given in the affirmative. I dropped my head immediately, that I
might not be discovered, and turned into my bed-place. I was restless
for a long while; thought upon thought, surmise upon surmise, conjecture
upon conjecture, and doubt upon doubt, occupied my brain, until at last
I went fast asleep--so fast, that I did not wake until summoned by
Fleming. I rose, and when I came on deck found that the anchor had been
weighed more than two hours, and that we were past all the bridges.
"Why, Jacob, my man, you've had a famous nap," said Fleming, with
apparent good humour; "now go aft, and get your breakfast, it has been
waiting for you this half-hour." By the manner of Fleming I took it for
granted that Marables had acquainted him with our conversation, and,
indeed, from that time, during our whole trip, Fleming treated me with
kindness and familiarity. The veto had not, however, been taken off the
cabin, which I never attempted to enter.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE MYSTERY BECOMES MORE AND MORE INTERESTING, AND I DETERMINE TO FIND
IT OUT.--PRYING AFTER THINGS LOCKED UP, I