raw up alongside as soon
as you're below, and when one of their gang, whom you'll despatch for
it, comes up to get the coin, we'll collar him, and then come to your
assistance. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly. But how are we to know the vessel?"

"Well, the better plan would be for you to follow us. We'll pull to
within a hundred yards of her. I learn from one of my men here that
she's painted white, so you'll have no difficulty in recognizing her."

"Very well, then, go on, and we'll follow you."

The police boat accordingly set off, and we followed about fifty yards
behind her. A thick drizzle was now falling, and it was by no means an
easy matter to keep her in sight. For some time we pulled on. Presently
we began to get closer to her. In a quarter of an hour we were
alongside.

"There's your craft," said the Inspector, pointing as he spoke to a big
vessel showing dimly through the scud to starboard of us. "Pull over to
her."

I followed his instructions, and, arriving at the vessel's side, hitched
on, made the painter fast, and then, having clambered aboard, assisted
Mr. Wetherell to do the same. As soon as we had both gained the deck we
stood and looked about us, at the same time listening for any sound
which might proclaim the presence of the men we had come to meet; but
save the sighing of the wind in the shrouds overhead, the dismal
creaking of blocks, and the drip of moisture upon the deck, no sign was
to be heard. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to make our way
below as best we could. Fortunately I had had the forethought to bring
with me a small piece of candle, which came in very handily at the
present juncture, seeing that the cuddy, when we reached the companion
ladder, was wrapt in total darkness. Very carefully I stepped inside,
lit the candle, and then, with Mr. Wetherell at my heels, made my way
down the steps.

Arriving at the bottom we found ourselves in a fair-sized saloon of the
old-fashioned type. Three cabins stood on either side, while from the
bottom of the companion ladder, by which we had descended, to a long
cushioned locker right aft under the wheel, ran a table covered with
American cloth. But there was no man of any kind to be seen. I opened
cabin after cabin, and searched each with a like result. We were
evidently quite alone in the ship.

"What do you make of it all?" I asked of Mr. Wetherell.

"It looks extremely suspicious," he answered. "Perhaps we're too early
f