n the Indies, one on the mathematics, far beyond
where I have studied: these were what I observed with very mingled
feelings. But in the open portmanteau, no papers of any description.
This set me musing. It was possible the man was dead; but, since the
traders had carried him away, not likely. It was possible he might still
die of his wound; but it was also possible he might not. And in this
latter case I was determined to have the means of some defence.

One after another I carried his portmanteaus to a loft in the top of the
house which we kept locked; went to my own room for my keys, and,
returning to the loft, had the gratification to find two that fitted
pretty well. In one of the portmanteaus there was a shagreen
letter-case, which I cut open with my knife; and thenceforth (so far as
any credit went) the man was at my mercy. Here was a vast deal of
gallant correspondence, chiefly of his Paris days; and, what was more to
the purpose, here were the copies of his own reports to the English
Secretary, and the originals of the Secretary's answers: a most damning
series: such as to publish would be to wreck the Master's honour and to
set a price upon his life. I chuckled to myself as I ran through the
documents; I rubbed my hands, I sang aloud in my glee. Day found me at
the pleasing task; nor did I then remit my diligence, except in so far
as I went to the window--looked out for a moment, to see the frost quite
gone, the world turned black again, and the rain and the wind driving in
the bay--and to assure myself that the lugger was gone from its
anchorage, and the Master (whether dead or alive) now tumbling on the
Irish Sea.

It is proper I should add in this place the very little I have
subsequently angled out upon the doings of that night. It took me a long
while to gather it; for we dared not openly ask, and the free-traders
regarded me with enmity, if not with scorn. It was near six months
before we even knew for certain that the man survived; and it was years
before I learned from one of Crail's men, turned publican on his
ill-gotten gain, some particulars which smack to me of truth. It seems
the traders found the Master struggled on one elbow, and now staring
round him, and now gazing at the candle, or at his hand, which was all
bloodied, like a man stupid. Upon their coming, he would seem to have
found his mind, bade them carry him aboard, and hold their tongues; and
on the captain asking how he had come in su