tain and a crew for my cruise.
I do not understand this."

"Nor I," said Day, with a shrug of his shoulders. "I am not responsible
for the crew. It was arranged by your agents, Mr. Morland."

"Ah!" said the Prince shortly, and then, "But you tell me they have
turned out to be pirates. This is ridiculous."

"I must refer you to Dr. Phillimore, sir," said Day curtly. "As for me,
if I had known what I know now, you would have sailed under another
captain. I am too old for mysteries."

Ignoring this, if he listened to it, the Prince turned on me.

"Where is your evidence of this?" he asked, and his eyes fell on
Ellison, who was plainly uncomfortable.

"Ah! did what the doctor says happen?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then we must send for this man Adams," concluded his Royal Highness.
"Let him be brought."

I had in my hand during all this time the bar of iron which McCrae had
brought. I gave it to Barraclough.

"If you are going," said I, "take this. It may be needed."

He looked at me with a lift of his eyebrows.

"All serene," said he with a smile. "This seems a pretty show
altogether. Come, quartermaster."

Legrand went back to his bridge with a revolver in his pocket, and I
was left with Mr. Morland and the captain. The former scrutinised me
closely and deliberately, without regard to my feelings, while Day
feigned to be busy at his table.

"I stay here, sir," said I to the Prince with emphasis, "because I seem
in a manner to be a prisoner on trial. I have called my evidence, and
it will be forthcoming presently. But I must say," I added bitterly,
"that I resent the way in which my testimony has been received, and at
Buenos Ayres, if we ever reach that port, I shall beg to be relieved of
my duties and have my contract cancelled."

"If Mr.--Mr. Morland does not object certainly I shall not, Dr.
Phillimore," said Day drily.

"Oh, come, captain," said I impatiently; "we are in a peril together
and you stand on ceremonies."

"That has yet to be proved," he said.

Even as he spoke a noise announced the return of the party, and Sir
John Barraclough entered.

"Your man's missing," said he.

Day uttered an exclamation, and the Prince's frown deepened.

"There's no one in the cabin," said Barraclough.

At that instant a knock fell on the door. "Is the doctor here?" said a
voice which I recognised at once. Barraclough opened the door and
Holgate stood on the threshold.

"It has been reported to me as I came on