lordly air of unconcern, had taken steps to know what was forward in
the hold.

I made another examination, and was the more convinced that there was
nothing seriously the matter with Legrand. This time he frankly grinned
in my face, as I laid him down. No doubt the sailors were in his
secret, and primed for it.

"I daresay I shall have to operate," I said, and, bidding them
farewell, I ascended to the deck.

Holgate waved his hand cheerily at me. "Always glad to see you,
doctor," he called out, and went on with the conversation in which he
was engaged.

I could have whipped myself that I could not guess what his crafty
design was.

But, if I was ignorant, no one was likely to assist me. Barraclough had
no views; all that his purview compassed was the probability of an
immediate fight, to which he looked forward with unconcern. Lane was
ridiculously inept in his suggestions, one of which involved the idea
that Holgate desired to "bag ladies and treasure with one gun." This
suggestion irritated me, and I snubbed him, so far as any one could
snub Lane. The Prince, I knew, was secure in his obstinate conviction,
and naturally Ellison had no views any more than Barraclough. They were
both very excellent examples of pure British phlegm and
unimaginativeness. This seemed to cast the burden upon me, for Pye was
still confined to his cabin. The little man was undoubtedly shaken by
the horrid events he had witnessed, and though he was confessedly a
coward, I could not help feeling sorry for him. He was an abject
creature now, and clung to his bunk, keeping out of the Prince's way
and Barraclough's as much as possible, and pestering me with his
consultations.

"I believe I should be better, doctor, if we were to get into warmer
weather," he said pleadingly. "Cold does affect a man's nerves, doesn't
it?"

"Well, you'll have to make love to Holgate, if you want that," said I
drily. "We're at his mercy."

We were all, I think, conscious of that, if we did not always openly
acknowledge the fact. Yet it was astonishing that no attack was made on
the state-rooms. Holgate had promised it, and had even struck the
shadow of deeper terrors during the concluding words of his interview
in the corridor. But things went on peacefully; the sun rose in blurred
heavens of blue and grey, and declined into rolling waters, and no
event of consequence took place. The bells were sounded as of old; the
wheelman in his armoured turret steer