of them?"

"Ten."

"That couldn't be; there were only nine of the crew."

"There was more as ten, but one of them went away."

"I went away," said Clyde.

"You! Were you with them?" demanded Peaks.

"I was."

"Why didn't you say so before?"

"You didn't ask me; and as you were not remarkably civil to me, I
didn't feel obliged to tell you the news."

"But there were not ten of them."

"Yes, ten," said Clyde.

"There were only nine when they left the ship."

"I know there were ten with me. One of them was a Norwegian, and a
rascal; but he wore the same uniform as the rest of them."

"What was his name?"

"Ole."

"Ole! Why, he's the fellow we picked up out at sea," exclaimed the
astonished boatswain. "Where have they been all this time?"

But Clyde suddenly bethought himself that he was altogether too
communicative, considering the relations that subsisted between
himself and his great enemy and persecutor, and he decided to answer
no more questions.

"All right, my hearty," laughed the boatswain, when the Briton
declined to answer. "They are on their way to the ship, and you will
be very soon."

Peaks was cunning enough to detain his interpreter so that he should
not return to the Victoria and inform Mrs. Blacklock where her son
was. The way was clear now, for he had no further responsibility in
regard to the cutter's crew, and his spirits rose accordingly. He sent
his man to engage a "huette," or state-room, in the steamer, and then,
at a late hour in the evening, paid and discharged him. He compelled
Clyde to sleep in the same chamber with him, for it contained three
beds, and it is probable that the boatswain kept one eye open during
the night, for every time the prisoner moved, his tyrant was on his
feet. The Kronprindsesse Louise sailed at six o'clock in the morning,
and Peaks and his victim were betimes on board. The boatswain was a
happy man when the boat was clear of the wharf, and on her way to
Gottenburg. He flattered himself that he had managed the affair very
well indeed, for he was not above the vanities of the flesh.

It was midnight when the Kronprindsesse arrived at her destination.
Peaks had kept one eye on Clyde all the time, and brought him in
safety to his journey's end. Late as was the hour, the first person he
saw at the landing was Mr. Blaine, the chief steward of the ship.

"I'm glad to see you, Blaine," shouted the boatswain when he
identified his shipmate, and grasped