esent. There were more
important things on hand than the conversion of a wooden-headed tar.

Leaving Mott at the wheel we adjourned to the deck saloon for a
discussion of ways and means. Miss Wallace sauntered in with a magazine
in her hand.

The captain's eye questioned mine. I nodded. She would have to learn
soon how things stood, and I trusted to her courage to hear the news
without any fainting or hysterics. The color washed out of her face, but
she showed not the least sign of panic.

"What can I do?" she asked in a steady voice.

"At present you may join an officers' council, Miss Wallace," said he.
"The first thing to find out is who are for us and who against. Let's
take the enemy first. There is Bothwell himself to begin with, and, of
course, the two Flemings and Caine. Are we sure of any others?"

"Johnson," I replied at once. "He was one of the two men who attacked me
at San Pedro. I thought at the time one of the voices sounded familiar,
but I couldn't place it. After I reached the boat I noticed Caine
watching me closely. The reason is clear enough to me now. He and
Johnson slugged me, and he was watching to see if I had any suspicion of
him."

"Sure, Jack?"

"Quite. I couldn't swear to them, but I'm morally certain. Johnson's
English is just a little broken. It was his voice I knew."

"That makes five against us so far. We can add the firemen to that,
since George Fleming chose them."

"Eight to begin with. What about the rest of the crew?"

"The man they call Tot Dennis was signed for me by Caine. Afraid we'll
have to give him to the enemy."

"Williams is a great friend of Dennis. I've seen them together a lot,"
Evelyn suggested.

"That's true, but Williams has sailed with me twice before. I did think
I could have trusted him."

"No doubt Caine and Bothwell have been influencing him. Put Williams
down doubtful."

We checked off the rest of the crew by name, but could find no evidence
against any of them.

"How many can we depend upon?" Evelyn asked.

"Yeager, Mott, Morgan, Jack here, and myself. That's five to begin
with," counted Blythe.

"Dugan and Alderson," I added.

"Seven. Any more?"

"Our steward. Phillips is his name."

"Sure, Miss Wallace?"

"He's the most harmless creature on earth."

The captain smiled.

"Afraid he won't be of much use to us then. We want harmful men. But
count him. That makes eight for us, nine against us, six doubtful. We'll
do very nicely."