eutenant drew
back.

"This is unusual," the lieutenant said, "irregular and discourteous."

"I waive the point for the present," Captain Curtis said, "but I insist
that the box shall not leave your hands until it passes into mine."

"Next," Ned went on, encouraged by the words and manner of Captain
Curtis, "I want you to have the cabin of the _Clara_ searched."

Lieutenant Carstens approached the speaker in a threatening manner, but
Curtis stepped in front of him.

"Why shouldn't the cabin of the _Clara_ be searched?" the latter
demanded.

"You shall pay for this indignity!" Carstens roared, turning away from
the group, with the box still under his arm. Ned pointed to the box, and
Captain Curtis stopped him.

"I want that box," he said, calmly.

Lieutenant Carstens hastened his steps and lifted the steel box in his
hands, as if about to toss it into the sea. Before he could execute his
purpose, however, the box was seized by the Captain.

"If you wish to assist in the search of the cabin," Captain Curtis said,
"we will go there together. Come along, Nestor," he added, turning to
Ned and cutting the cord which held his wrists. "You suggested the move,
and you shall see what is discovered in the search."

The Lieutenant moved along with the others, but paused at the head of
the stairway leading down into the little stern cabin.

"I protest against this!" he roared, his face bloodless with passion or
fright.

"By the way," Captain Curtis said, lifting the steel box high in the
air, "this appears to be quite heavy. Suppose we open it here?"

"There is no key," Carstens replied.

Ned held up the odd-shaped key he had found on the island first visited.

"I think I can open it," he said, "but you'll find that Carstens has a
key if you'll take a look through his clothes."

"Will you surrender the key?" asked Captain Curtis of the Lieutenant.

"The boy lies!" thundered Carstens. "I have no key."

"What does the box contain?" asked the Captain.

"I don't exactly know," Ned replied, "but it is my opinion that it
contains a treaty pledging certain tribes to unite in rebellion against
the United States provided they are supplied with guns and ammunition."

"Your opinion is of little account!" gritted the Lieutenant.

"And I believe," Ned went on, "that other papers are in the box--papers
giving a history of the plot, also papers stolen from the government.
Anyway, if you say so, Captain, I'll open the box wi