hall get to your quarters now, sir," declared the Prince
severely. "Sir John, order this man to his post."

The little man was so downcast, and was obviously so unwell, that I
took pity on him, and cheered him as he went upstairs.

"Never mind, Pye," I said. "We'll pull through."

He shook his head. "Ah, it isn't that," he said. "But I disgraced
myself, doctor. I'm not built that way. It was awful--awful." He
shuddered.

"Yes, we'll get our little tum-tums full of it now, I guess," remarked
Lane cheerfully. "You freeze on to your barker, boy. You'll need it
before we fetch up at Albert Docks again. It's Execution Docks for some
of us, I'll lay. Have a cigar, doctor?"

I accepted, but Pye refused, turning a sallow hue. His nerves had not
yet recovered, and he had certainly drunk a good deal of brandy.
Ellison and Jackson were on watch below, and when we reached the
corridor Grant signalled us in a whisper from his peep-hole.

"Some one coming along this way, sir."

Barraclough sprang to his side. "By Heaven, it's Holgate, damn him," he
said, "with a flag of truce."

"Open that door," said the Prince evenly.

Grant turned the key and drew the bolt, and the door fell ajar.
Holgate's big form was stationed before it, and he waved a flag.

"A truce, gentlemen," he said wheezily.

I looked at the Prince and Barraclough for the answer, and to my
amazement saw that the former had his revolver at the level. His finger
was on the trigger. I leaped forward and struck it up, and the bullet
buried itself in the walls of the cabin.

"What do you mean, sir?" he thundered, turning on me savagely. "How
dare you?"

"Mr. Morland," said I. "You spoke of discipline a little ago. Well, how
do you keep it?"

"This is my ship," he said furiously.

"Yes," said I, "and it is in the charge of Sir John Barraclough here,
who will tell you, perhaps, that it is against the laws of equity, not
to say common sense, to fire on a flag of truce."

Sir John looked uneasy. "The doctor is right, sir," he said. "We ought
to hear what he's got to say."

"He is a villainous murderer. I will see that they are hanged," said
the Prince, with a scowl at me. But he let his arm fall. Behind him I
could see the Princess, but her face was averted.

Holgate's figure blocked the doorway. "If I may come in," he said
smoothly, "and you're quite done with your pistol practice, gentlemen,
I should like to make a proposal to you."

"It shall be uncond