A narrow companionway with brass rails led below to the crew's quarters. Mayo, coming to the head of it, saw the man hurrying to its foot. The captain grasped the rails and slid down with one swoop. “What in the devil's name are you doing?” he gasped. The intruder grabbed him and threw him to one side, and started up the companionway. He had dropped the suit-case to seize Mayo, and it bounced in a way to show that it was empty. Mayo leaped and grasped the other's legs as he was mounting. The man kicked him ferociously in the breast before the attacker managed to pinion the legs in his arms. They went down together, rolling over and over. The stranger was stocky and strong, his muscles toughened by a sailor's activities. Moreover, he seemed to be animated by something more than a mere grudge or desire to defend himself; he fought with frenzy, beating his fists into Mayo's face and sides as they rolled. Then he began to shout. He fairly screamed, struggling to release himself. But his assailant was just as tough and just as desperate, and he had a younger man's superior agility. The other had forced the fight. Mayo proposed to hang to him until he discovered the meaning of this peculiar ferocity. He flipped across his prisoner, clutched him by both ears, and rapped the man's head so smartly on the deck planks that his victim relaxed, half unconscious. Then he opened staring eyes. “Let me go! Let me go! I quit. Run for it. Let me run. We're goners!” he squalled. “Run? Why?” demanded the victor. “Dynamite! I've planted it. The fuse is going.” “Where is it?” “Below--somewhere. I've forgot. I, can't remember. My mind is gone. I'm too scared to think. Run!” Mayo jumped up and yanked the man to his feet. “Take me to it!” he shouted. “There ain't time. I guessed at the fuse--it may burn quicker than I reckoned.” The young man drove his fist into the other's face and knocked him down. Then he jerked him upright again. “Take me where you've planted that dynamite or we'll stay here and go up together. And now you know I mean what I say.” The last blow had cowed his man; he raised his fist again. The visitor leaped away from him and ran along the lower deck, Mayo at his heels. He led the way aft. In the gloom of betweendecks there gleamed a red spark. Mayo rushed to it, whipped off his cap, and snuffed the baleful glow. When he was sure that the fuse was dead he heard his man scrambling up the companion ladder. He pursued and caught the quarry as he gained the upper deck, and buffeted the man about the ears and forced him into a stateroom. “This means state prison for you! You were guilty of barratry before, and you know it! How did you dare to try this last trick?” “I had my orders.” “Orders from what man?” “No matter. You needn't ask. I won't tell.” The stranger was sullen, and had recovered some of his assurance, now that his fear of the dynamite was removed.