Belton did as he was directed, and then followed his master to the saloon companion ladder. Once below, they changed their clothes as quickly as possible, and having donned mackintoshes, returned to the deck, where it was still raining hard. "Now," said Carne, "for the last and most important part of our evening’s work. Let us hope the lines will prove equal to the demands we are about to make upon them." As he said this, he took one of the belts from his cleat upon which he had placed it, and having detached a line, began to pull it in, Belton following his example with another. Their hopes that they would prove equal to the confidence placed in them proved well founded, for, in something less than a quarter of an hour, the six bags, containing the Emperor of Westphalia’s magnificent gold plate, were lying upon the deck, ready to be carried below and stowed away in the secret place in which Carne had arranged to hide his treasure. "Now, Belton," said Carne, as he pushed the panel back into its place, and pressed the secret spring that locked it, "I hope you’re satisfied with what we have done. We’ve made a splendid haul, and you shall have your share of it. In the meantime, just get me to bed as quickly as you can, for I’m dead tired. When you’ve done so, be off to your own. To-morrow morning you will have to go up town to arrange with the bank authorities about my account." Belton did as he was ordered and half-an-hour later his master was safely in bed and asleep. It was late next morning when he awoke. He had scarcely breakfasted before the Earl of Amberley and Lord Orpington made their appearance over the side. To carry out the part he had arranged to play, he received them seated in his deck chair, his swaddled-up right foot reclining on a cushion before him. On seeing his guests, he made as if he would rise, but they begged him to remain seated. "I hope your ankle is better this morning," said Lord Orpington politely, as he took a chair beside his friend. "Much better, thank you," Carne replied. "It was not nearly so serious as I feared. I hope to be able to hobble about a little this afternoon. And now tell me the news, if there is any." "Do you mean to say that you have not heard the great news?" asked Lord Amberley, in a tone of astonishment. "I have heard nothing," Carne replied. "Remember, I have not been ashore this morning, and I have been so busily engaged with the preparations for my departure to-morrow that I have not had time to look at my papers. Pray what is this news of which you speak with such bated breath?" "Listen, and I’ll tell you," Lord Orpington answered, and he related the events of the previous night, Carne’s face, in the meantime, showing great astonishment.