Mr. Morland's eyes lighted up. "I have employed you, sir," he began, "to work this ship–"
"Pardon me, it is necessary," said Day with extreme politeness. "I hear a tale of conspiracy to rob my employer, who sails with me and whom I know as Mr. Morland, but who is stated to be Prince Frederic of Hochburg. I am justified, therefore, in asking if Mr. Morland is Prince Frederic; and if he has the money on board which the tale alleges. According to that answer must I shape my conduct."
Mr. Morland drew himself up. "It is reasonable," he said, as if reflecting. "Yes, I am Frederic of Hochburg."
Day's fingers trembled. "And the money?" he asked in a hard voice.
"There is some money on board," said the Prince, looking round on our faces, and now I was surprised that I had not identified long since that guttural German accent. "But I should wish to know what this scene means, sir?" he said in a haughty voice.
Day waved his hand at me.
"I have learned to-night," said I, "by an accident, that there is a plot among the crew to seize the ship and its contents before reaching Buenos Ayres."
For the third time I then told my story, to which my sodden garments were a genuine witness. The Prince listened to me with a frown.
"I do not understand," said he. "I was led to believe that I was chartering a good vessel with a good captain and a crew for my cruise. I do not understand this."
"Nor I," said Day, with a shrug of his shoulders. "I am not responsible for the crew. It was arranged by your agents, Mr. Morland."
"Ah!" said the Prince shortly, and then, "But you tell me they have turned out to be pirates. This is ridiculous."
"I must refer you to Dr. Phillimore, sir," said Day curtly. "As for me, if I had known what I know now, you would have sailed under another captain. I am too old for mysteries."
Ignoring this, if he listened to it, the Prince turned on me.
"Where is your evidence of this?" he asked, and his eyes fell on Ellison, who was plainly uncomfortable.
"Ah! did what the doctor says happen?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then we must send for this man Adams," concluded his Royal Highness. "Let him be brought."
I had in my hand during all this time the bar of iron which McCrae had brought. I gave it to Barraclough.
"If you are going," said I, "take this. It may be needed."
He looked at me with a lift of his eyebrows.
"All serene," said he with a smile. "This seems a pretty show altogether. Come, quartermaster."
Legrand went back to his bridge with a revolver in his pocket, and I was left with Mr. Morland and the captain. The former scrutinised me closely and deliberately, without regard to my feelings, while Day feigned to be busy at his table.
"I stay here, sir," said I to the Prince with emphasis, "because I seem in a manner to be a prisoner on trial. I have called my evidence, and it will be forthcoming presently. But I must say," I added bitterly, "that I resent the way in which my testimony has been received, and at Buenos Ayres, if we ever reach that port, I shall beg to be relieved of my duties and have my contract cancelled."
"If Mr.—Mr. Morland does not object certainly I shall not, Dr. Phillimore," said Day drily.
"Oh, come, captain," said I impatiently; "we are in a peril together and you stand on ceremonies."
"That has yet to be proved," he said.
Even as he spoke a noise announced the return of the party, and Sir John Barraclough entered.
"Your man's missing," said he.
Day uttered an exclamation, and the Prince's frown deepened.
"There's no one in the cabin," said Barraclough.
At that instant a knock fell on the door. "Is the doctor here?" said a voice which I recognised at once. Barraclough opened the door and Holgate stood on the threshold.
"It has been reported to me as I came on duty," he said, "that Adams is missing, doctor. It seems a bad case. He was delirious, and two of the men say they heard a plunge. The port-hole is open."
"It's a lie!" I cried.
Holgate's face twitched. "It's the report made to me," he said; "I came at once," and the fang showed clear under his upper lip.
"It is foul play!" I said. "He was not likely to throw himself overboard. It all belongs to the plot."
"Was this man delirious?" asked Day of me.
I hesitated. "For a time he was slightly," I answered.
"He was delirious when he told you these things?"
"That I deny."
He turned to Ellison. "What do you say, quartermaster?"
"I don't know, sir," said the man in confusion. "He didn't seem quite—quite all right."
"Ah!" said Day, looking at Mr. Morland.
"Good heavens, sir, would you take a common sailor's word before a doctor's?" I asked indignantly.
"No, Dr. Phillimore, I am only weighing the evidence," said he coolly. "This man was, according to you, delirious for a time. He made some communication as to a plot. Then he disappears. It is either conspiracy or delirium. Either accounts for the facts. Which are we to believe?"
"You forget the attempt on me," I said hotly.
"Not at all," he said, "I have not forgotten that—accident. But it hardly gets us further. It fits in with either supposition—the plot or"—he paused—"the delirium," he added significantly.
"Gentlemen, I wish you good night, or good morning," I said, turning on my heel. "And I will beg of you, Mr. Morland, to grant me the privilege of a substitute when we reach Buenos Ayres."
Mr. Morland did not answer. He made an impatient gesture, and then:
"Are you satisfied, Captain Day?" he asked.
"Quite," was the laconic answer.
"Then may I request you will see that discipline is kept among your men," said the Prince severely, and stalked out of the cabin.
Barraclough broke into laughter. "Upon my soul–" he began, but was interrupted by an angry exclamation.
"Be good enough, sir, to keep your counsel till it is asked, sir," said Day, trembling with fury. "I have too many princes and baronets here for my taste." He stamped round the room in agitation. "My men!" he cried. "Good Lord, what have I had to do with them? I wish I'd never seen the figurehead of the yacht. Good Lord! my men! I would sooner run an excursion steamer than submit to this."
Barraclough eyed him without any emotion, even with hard hostility. The exit of the Prince had stayed my departure, and abruptly Day came to a pause by me.
"That will do, gentlemen," he said quietly. Holgate, who was at the door, opened it, and his round face swung gently on his shoulders till his gaze rested on me again. Something flickered in it, something like a leer on that malicious blackness, and then he was gone. Day stood stock-still looking by me after him. As I turned to follow he addressed me.
"Dr. Phillimore, if you can spare a moment before you change," he said civilly, "I shall be glad of a few minutes."
I answered promptly, wondering, and the door closed behind Barraclough.
"Doctor, I haven't slept a wink for nights," burst out the captain suddenly; "I must have something."
He had a haggard, drawn look, and his eyes seemed sunken in his head. At once I was the professional man, and not an officer of the ship.
"Sit down, sir," said I, "and tell me. What is it?"
He sat down shakily. "I don't like my officers, doctor, and I don't like my employer," he said peevishly. I held his pulse, which was jumping.
"What else," I said.
"You are not a married man?" he inquired, looking at me restlessly. "No; never mind," he paused, and proceeded in his ridiculously precise voice. "I had the misfortune to lose my wife and my son in a fortnight—about a month ago. It has rather upset me."
It might have seemed comic communicated in that matter-of-fact tone, but somehow it struck me as tragic. That this vain, self-contained, and reticent man should confess to the frailty of humanity to a man he disliked was the measure of his suffering.