inued Captain
Marshall, remembering his suspicions about the fire in the hold.

"He's telling an untruth," replied Nat quietly. "I don't carry
cigarettes about with me. You can----"

"Then what's this?" asked the commander suddenly, as he stepped toward
Nat, and plunging his hand in the lad's pocket he pulled out the box
of cigarettes. The captain had seen a suspicious-looking bulge, and
had acted on what he considered his rights as a commander of a vessel
in searching one of his crew.

"Why--why----" stammered Nat. "I didn't know----"

"That's the box my cigarette came out of," said Sam, truthfully
enough.

"It isn't mine!" exclaimed Nat.

"Then what's it doing in your pocket?" inquired Captain Marshall.

"I don't know, unless Sam put it there," said Nat firmly.

"That's a likely story! I don't believe you."

"I never put it there," declared Sam stoutly. Telling an untruth meant
nothing to him.

"Then some one else, who wants to injure me, did it," declared Nat. "I
never use cigarettes--I haven't for over a year."

"This will be looked into," said the captain. "One of you lads is
telling an untruth, and I propose to find out who. When I do I shall
take action. Meanwhile I'll hold these cigarettes as evidence. Don't
let me catch either of you smoking again aboard this ship. As for
you," he added, turning to Nat, "you've been idle long enough. Get on
with your work."

CHAPTER XII

THE INVESTIGATION

Nat hardly knew what to make of the strange turn of events. It had
happened so suddenly that he had no time to prepare himself. He was
positive Sam had dropped the cigarettes into his pocket, but to prove
it was another matter. He knew the mate would take the side of his
nephew, while Nat had no one to stand up for him.

"Unless Mr. Weatherby does," he said to himself. "I guess I'll tell
him about it."

"You leave it to me," said the pilot, when Nat had related his story.
"I think we can easily prove that Sam Shaw is guilty. Don't worry.
I'll stand by you."

Nat felt better after this, and went about his duties with a lighter
heart. Nevertheless, he could not help being anxious when he received
a message telling him to report to Captain Marshall's cabin.

"If you need any witnesses call on me," said the purser, as the boy
went aft. "I saw Sam smoking before you joined him, and I'll testify
to that effect."

"Thank you," said Nat. "I may need you. He tried to play a mean trick
on me."

In t