mine. I took it, and it was cold like the snows in January. I
pressed it softly.

"Be of good heart. I will come back. And do not cry out."

Even as I stole back in that critical moment, my heart bounded, for I
knew to whom the hand belonged. Body of Love! should not I know it in
the grave? I reached Legrand.

"Ready," I said.

"You take the nearest," said he. "A jack-knife carries farther."

"I shall want it," I said. "I have only my fingers."

"You shall have it," he said grimly. "One at a time. Fingers or throat,
mind you, and no noise. Have you got your muscles back? You're a strong
man, Phillimore, but, by heaven! all rests on your fingers. And you
have been wounded?"

"I could tear down the pillars of Gaza at this moment," I replied. "My
blood's afire."

"God be with us!" he muttered, and slowly turned the handle.

The door opened inwards, and in the darkness loomed a single figure.
Legrand sprang, and the two disappeared in a heap upon the floor. I had
leapt to one side and was feeling in the air for my enemy, but my hands
took nothing, nor could my eyes make out any other figure in the gloom.
Presently something rose from the floor, and I heard Legrand's voice.

"He's alone. There was only the one."

"Yes," I whispered back. "And the mutineers are gone from here."

Faint noises issued from below, acquainting us in what direction the
search had flowed.

"All the better," said Legrand. "The way's clear for us. Where are the
women?"

I found my way into the cabin again and called them in a low voice.
"Give me your hand," said I to the first that reached me. I recognised
the tall figure. Mademoiselle was _petite_. I conducted both through
the doorway, and the Princess stumbled and gave vent to a little moan.
It was the dead man. I pulled her to me.

"Legrand," said I, "you must take Mademoiselle; she will not find her
way alone, and I must have an arm free."

"I want two," he growled.

At that moment a beam of light flashed from the cabins across the way.
Legrand gave vent to a hiss of warning and moved off. I could see his
shadow for a moment, and then it was swallowed in the blackness. He was
waiting and watching outside the cabin. The light streamed out in a fan
towards us, and revealed, in the opening of a door, a man's form, and
even as it did, Legrand struck. The man went down in silence, and
Legrand bent over and picked up the lantern which had clashed to the
floor. He stooped and exami