ined my bed. It was well
that I had made the resolution; for just as I was putting my head below
the hatch, and drawing it over the scuttle, the door was thrown open and
Fleming came out, I pondered over this circumstance, and the remark of
Fleming that Marables had not earned any more, and I felt convinced that
the story told me by Marables relative to Fleming was all false. This
conviction stimulated me more than ever to discover the secret, and many
and many a night did I watch, with a hope of being able to examine the
cabin; but it was to no purpose, either Fleming or Marables was always
on board. I continued to report to the Dominie all I had discovered,
and he agreed at last that it was better that I should not say anything
to Mr Drummond until there was the fullest proof of the nature of their
proceedings.

The cabin was now the sole object of my thoughts, and many were the
schemes resolved in my mind to obtain an entrance. Fatima never coveted
admission to the dreadful chamber of Bluebeard as I did to ascertain the
secrets of this hidden receptacle. One night Fleming had quitted the
barge, and I ascended from my dormitory. Marables was on deck, sitting
upon the water-cask, with his elbow resting on the gunwale, his hand
supporting his head, as if in deep thought. The cabin-doors were
closed, but the light still remained in it. I watched for some time,
and perceiving that Marables did not move, walked gently up to him. He
was fast asleep; I waited for some little time alongside of him. At
last he snored. It was an opportunity not to be lost. I crept to the
cabin-door; it was not locked. Although I did not fear the wrath of
Marables, in case of discovery, as I did that of Fleming, it was still
with a beating heart and a tremulous hand that I gently opened the door,
pausing before I entered, to ascertain if Marables were disturbed. He
moved not, and I entered, closing the door after me. I caught up the
light, and held it in my hand as I hung over the table. On each side
were the two bed-places of Marables and Fleming, which I had before then
had many a partial glimpse of. In front of the two bed-places were two
lockers to sit down upon. I tried them--they were not fast--they
contained their clothes. At the after part of the cabin were three
cupboards; I opened the centre one; it contained crockery, glass, and
knives and forks. I tried the one on the starboard side; it was locked,
but the key was