h a position as to obstruct his view of
that part of the maindeck which Joe would have to traverse before
reaching the concealing shadow of the long-boat. I stood thus,
apparently sunk in reflection, until I observed Joe glide across the
exposed space and disappear; when I went back to my cabin and fully
dressed myself, in readiness to go on deck again at eight bells.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

WE ARRIVE AT THE TREASURE ISLAND.

During the succeeding watch, I had leisure to take a careful mental
review of Joe's story, and the conclusion at which I arrived was that
the man Moore, having failed in his endeavour to seduce the original
crew of the _Esmeralda_ from their duty, had, on his arrival at Sydney,
no sooner recognised the probability of their desertion--which, for
aught I knew to the contrary, he might very possibly have contributed to
bring about--than he must have devoted himself to the task of collecting
the party of men whose wiles I had now to circumvent. What a patient,
crafty fellow the man had proved himself to be! It really appeared as
though he must have had, almost from the outset of the voyage, some
suspicion as to the character of the cryptogram over which he had seen
me puzzling so often--or might he not have gathered its nature from a
chance word or two overheard while I had been discussing the subject
with Sir Edgar?--for he no sooner became aware in a general way of its
contents than he was ready with a plan by which to turn the adventure to
his own advantage. He was persevering, too; for that plan had no sooner
failed than he must have gone to work to formulate another, so skilfully
devised, and so carefully carried through that, but for Joe's devoted
fidelity, it must have infallibly succeeded. Indeed, I felt by no means
satisfied that they would not succeed, even now. True, their designs,
as revealed to Joe, might be very easily frustrated; but there was an
unpleasant doubt in my mind as to the _bona fides_ of that revelation.
I could scarcely believe that men who had already exhibited such
indisputable proof of extreme caution and steadfast self-control could
be so easily imposed upon as they appeared to have been by Joe! What if
they had seen through his devices, and had suspected his intentions?
Would they not, in that case, have realised that our suspicions were
aroused? and might they not have merely _feigned_ to have fallen into
Joe's trap, and have confided to him a purely fictitious