the first place, Dave?"

"Just before eight bells I saw him cleaning the brasses on the door.
I think he will wear those door knobs all out before the cruise is up.
I knew he was up to something, and I just watched him. He went out of
sight and I did not know where he was. Then I took the feather duster,
and worked about the cabin; but I couldn't find him. Then I dusted the
state room, and then I did find him."

"You have rendered good service, Dave, and I shall not forget it," added
Christy. "Where are Mr. Flint and Mr. Baskirk?"

"In the ward room, sir."

"Give my compliments to them, and say that I wish to see them in my
cabin in about ten minutes," continued the captain.

Dave left the cabin, and Christy devoted himself to his breakfast; and
in his haste to meet the officers indicated, he hurried the meal more
than was prudent for the digestion. The steward reported that he had
delivered the message, and Christy finished his hasty collation.

The table was hurriedly cleared by the steward, and the captain paid a
visit to his state room, during which he did not fail to look under his
berth. He had a trunk there, and he saw that it had been moved to the
front of the space, so that there was room enough for the conspirator to
conceal his body behind it, though his was a good-sized body. Returning
to the cabin, he took his usual seat at the table, facing the door. In a
few minutes more Mr. Flint and Mr. Baskirk came to the door and were
invited to come in. Dave had returned from the galley, and he was
instructed to watch that door as he was told to close it.

[Illustration: Dave finds Mulgrum under the berth.]

Flint took the seat assigned to him, and Baskirk was placed opposite to
him. The first lieutenant appeared to be a great deal more dissatisfied
than the captain; but then he was a poor man, and next to his duty to
his country, he was as anxious as the average officer to make all the
money he could out of the prizes captured by his ship. It looked to him
as though all his chances had slipped beyond his reach for the present.

Flint had taken no little stock in the two steamers that were expected
on the coast at this time, and in spite of the treachery anticipated he
had counted upon a share in at least one of them. He knew very well that
the commander, from sharp experience at his side some months before,
would not pass by an opportunity to strike a blow, even in the face of
any reasonable risk. But no