gone through
the bag looking for arms, for nothing else had been disturbed. And
it must have taken some time to open the straps and put them back
in place, for the leather was stiff and the buckles difficult to
manage. Trask had found the ends of the straps tucked in under the
leather bands, just as he had fixed them himself at the hotel.

Besides, to get the pistol and ammunition the leather pocket had to
be opened, and Trask had found the flap back in place and buckled
down. Likewise, the bag had been opened before his own eyes by Doc
Bird, and he had stood over the steward while it was unpacked.

Doc couldn't have known the pistol was there, for immediately the
bag was opened he stood up and let Trask pass out the contents.
Peth had been in the room probably fifteen minutes, and part of
that time two of the crew were with him.

Trask knew it would be unfair to charge Peth with the theft of the
pistol, or to question the mate about it, and to report his loss to
Jarrow might precipitate more trouble on top of the ill-feeling
which had already cropped out aboard the schooner.

So he decided to wait and take the matter up at a time more
convenient for an investigation.

Trask left his room and went out on deck as if nothing had happened
to arouse his suspicions against anybody in the vessel. But he had
an idea that Peth might know what had become of the automatic
pistol.

CHAPTER VIII

HOW THE SCHOONER ARRIVED OFF THE ISLAND

Trask found Captain Jarrow pacing the weather side of the poop-deck
when he went up. The captain seemed to be in ill-humour, as if his
tilt with Peth had not been settled to his liking, and his attitude
that of shame for having lost his face so soon with his
"passengers."

He nodded pleasantly to Trask, who observed that his bronzed face
appeared flushed with anger. There was a savage glint in his eye in
spite of his silent geniality.

Trask leaned against the taffrail, waiting to see if Jarrow would
speak, and if the captain's mood warranted it, intended to report
the loss of his pistol.

Locke and Marjorie were in deck chairs around the cabin on the lee
side, sheltered from sun and wind to some degree by the sail over
their heads.

But Jarrow said nothing, continuing to pace from the break of the
poop and aft, ignoring Trask, but keeping a watchful eye on the man
at the helm and the sails. His manner indicated that he did not
wish to engage in conversation, but preferred