"The two missing cases couldn't have dropped out that way, of course?" "Oh, no. We looked, of course, but it would have been impossible. The vessel has a list the other way--to starboard--and the piled cases didn't reach as high as the torn part. Well, as I said, we burgled the door, and there they were, thirty-eight sealed bullion cases, neither more nor less, and they're down below in the after-cabin at this moment. Come and see." Thirty-eight they were; pine cases bound with hoop-iron and sealed at every joint, each case about eighteen inches by a foot, and six inches deep. They were corded together, two and two, apparently for convenience of transport. "Did you cord them like this yourself?" asked Hewitt. "No, that's how we found 'em. We just hooked 'em on a block and tackle, the pair at a time, and they hauled 'em up here aboard the tug." "What have you done about the missing two--anything?" "Wired off to headquarters, of course, at once. And I've sent for Captain Mackrie--he's still in the neighbourhood, I believe--and Brasyer, the second officer, who had charge of the bullion-room. They may possibly know something. Anyway, _one_ thing's plain. There were forty cases at the beginning of the voyage, and now there are only thirty-eight." There was a pause; and then Merrick added, "By the bye, Hewitt, this is rather your line, isn't it? You ought to look up these two cases." Hewitt laughed. "All right," he said; "I'll begin this minute if you'll commission me." "Well," Merrick replied slowly, "of course I can't do that without authority from headquarters. But if you've nothing to do for an hour or so there is no harm in putting on your considering cap, is there? Although, of course, there's nothing to go upon as yet. But you might listen to what Mackrie and Brasyer have to say. Of course I don't know, but as it's a £10,000 question probably it might pay you, and if you _do_ see your way to anything I'd wire and get you commissioned at once." There was a tap at the door and Captain Mackrie entered. "Mr. Merrick?" he said interrogatively, looking from one to another. "That's myself, sir," answered Merrick. "I'm Captain Mackrie, of the _Nicobar_. You sent for me, I believe. Something wrong with the bullion I'm told, isn't it?" Merrick explained matters fully. "I thought perhaps you might be able to help us, Captain Mackrie. Perhaps I have been wrongly informed as to the number of cases that should have been there?" "No; there were forty right enough. I think though--perhaps I might be able to give you a sort of hint."--and Captain Mackrie looked hard at Hewitt. "This is Mr. Hewitt, Captain Mackrie," Merrick interposed. "You may speak as freely as you please before him. In fact, he's sort of working on the business, so to speak." "Well," Mackrie said, "if that's so, speaking between ourselves, I should advise you to turn your attention to Brasyer. He was my second officer, you know, and had charge of the stuff."