duty," he said, "that Adams is
missing, doctor. It seems a bad case. He was delirious, and two of the
men say they heard a plunge. The port-hole is open."

"It's a lie!" I cried.

Holgate's face twitched. "It's the report made to me," he said; "I came
at once," and the fang showed clear under his upper lip.

"It is foul play!" I said. "He was not likely to throw himself
overboard. It all belongs to the plot."

"Was this man delirious?" asked Day of me.

I hesitated. "For a time he was slightly," I answered.

"He was delirious when he told you these things?"

"That I deny."

He turned to Ellison. "What do you say, quartermaster?"

"I don't know, sir," said the man in confusion. "He didn't seem
quite--quite all right."

"Ah!" said Day, looking at Mr. Morland.

"Good heavens, sir, would you take a common sailor's word before a
doctor's?" I asked indignantly.

"No, Dr. Phillimore, I am only weighing the evidence," said he coolly.
"This man was, according to you, delirious for a time. He made some
communication as to a plot. Then he disappears. It is either conspiracy
or delirium. Either accounts for the facts. Which are we to believe?"

"You forget the attempt on me," I said hotly.

"Not at all," he said, "I have not forgotten that--accident. But it
hardly gets us further. It fits in with either supposition--the plot
or"--he paused--"the delirium," he added significantly.

"Gentlemen, I wish you good night, or good morning," I said, turning on
my heel. "And I will beg of you, Mr. Morland, to grant me the privilege
of a substitute when we reach Buenos Ayres."

Mr. Morland did not answer. He made an impatient gesture, and then:

"Are you satisfied, Captain Day?" he asked.

"Quite," was the laconic answer.

"Then may I request you will see that discipline is kept among your
men," said the Prince severely, and stalked out of the cabin.

Barraclough broke into laughter. "Upon my soul----" he began, but was
interrupted by an angry exclamation.

"Be good enough, sir, to keep your counsel till it is asked, sir," said
Day, trembling with fury. "I have too many princes and baronets here
for my taste." He stamped round the room in agitation. "My men!" he
cried. "Good Lord, what have I had to do with them? I wish I'd never
seen the figurehead of the yacht. Good Lord! my men! I would sooner run
an excursion steamer than submit to this."

Barraclough eyed him without any emotion, even with hard hostility. The