a line of irritation right-angli

deck bade him, seeing hi

t believe me," bl

s that?" asked

seriously. "I don't know that I blame him.

Give us the facts. Neve

boats are all there. Everything's in good condition, though none too orderly. Pitcher half full of fresh water in the rack. Sails all O.

the boats are th

two surf boats.

ent

cept that the starboard side is blistered a bit. No evidence of fire anywhere

poke of the other night," said Ives. "The crew got fright

run around the corner and hide, whe

ell, perhaps that volcanic eruption j

theory, that,

facts, as you give t

dmitted the en

pestilence?" su

r, after the bodies of the rest were overb

said Dr. Trendon, briefly. "No;

t the wheel, Bi

l's all right, but compass is no go

ut the lo

he game; everywhere except in the big, brass-bound chest

est!" exclaimed Barnet

he ensign grimly. "Not in the flesh

nett gently. "There's someth

to tell me to withhold anything," said Edwards, with a trace of bi

nce to believe

"there's a sort of atmosphere about

before you were ordered

cted, too. They kept together like frightened sheep. And I heard one say to another: 'Hey, Boney, d'you feel like someone wa

urs is all right again. The schooner must have been so near the el

ght to the volcanic

kindly to your go-look-see?"

aid the ensign, flushing. "Perhaps he can make more of it

n, appearing. "You will please

from his chair with such alacrity as

believe old Tre

Trendon there were dull times on the quarter-deck o

s right,"

thing," cried Ives. "He di

lly said," he added, waxing unusually prol

red the ensign.

ving being aboard.'

the ensign excitedly. "You d

y boy. No. You were exactly ri

thing," retort

nor other," p

ha

Crumbs on the mess table. Ever see

arly investigat

such a thing ex

Lass. Ever know of an old hooke

ne else. Not

e one on the Laughing Lass. No rats, no mice. No bu

" said Ives, with irrepressible flippancy. "

," said Trendon. "Captain's

hen," said Barnett. "

ee you in his cabin, Mr. Edwar

Billy," said Ives. "Sing o

rst command, with instructions to "keep company and watch for signals"; and intention to break into the brass-bound chest and ferret out what c

suppose," said t

n. "Don't like the looks of it." He shook