atter had a chance to explain why the crew
should put off in a boat in the night, and why Jarrow was not in
his cabin. There might be a reason for it all which would be
perfectly plausible, if not convincing of the captain's good
intentions.

Doc came to the door of his room, and whispered: "Yo' all want the
lamp goin', Mr. Trask?"

"No," said Trask. "You go to bed and keep still." He felt that the
steward was inordinately curious about the visit to the captain's
room and why Trask was walking about outside.

"Cap'n Jarrow, he's gone for'ard," offered Doc, still standing in
the frame of the door, barely perceptible.

"Forward!" whispered Trask, surprised. This news meant one of two
explanations for what he had seen--the business was legitimate, and
under the direction of Jarrow, or Jarrow was involved with the crew
in whatever treachery was afoot.

"Yassir," continued Doc. "He's got all hands messin' 'round at
somethin'. I reckon the old man he looks for it to come on to
blow."

"I see," said Trask. "Well, I'm going out. Maybe I can be of some
help. Keep quiet, or you'll wake everybody up."

Doc withdrew from the door, and Trask heard him shuffling to his
own room, expressing some opinion in a whisper which Trask could
not make out, except that it was to the effect that he hadn't
started this "walkin' round like ha'nts in the middle of the
night."

Trask went on deck and moved forward boldly. The squall which had
passed left the air fresh and cool, and the sky was not so black,
although the schooner was still in gloom. But her bulwarks were
more clearly defined against the water, and Trask could see a
figure on the starboard bow which looked like a man standing and
peering in the direction of the island.

"Who's that?" came Jarrow's voice as Trask drew near. His voice was
low and cautious.

"Mr. Trask."

"Oh."

"Can't sleep," said Trask. "What's going on?"

"Storm wake ye up?"

"Not exactly. I've been wakeful since I went to my room."

"Guess we woke ye up."

"Well, I've heard considerable movement, and it made me curious."

"How long ye been out?"

"I was out when it first rained."

"Oh, then it was you!"

"I? I don't understand."

"Loafin' along the rail."

"Yes, I stood there for awhile."

"Thought you was one of the men soldierin' on the job."

"I saw a boat put off."

"Yes," said Jarrow, as if neither the boat nor the fact that Trask
had seen it was of any interest to him.

"