"Where was it hidden, then," said the captain. "It was not hidden at all," said Dutch, smiling. "The owner came back at last, after having been waylaid and searched, even to the linings of his clothes; and then, feeling secure, took the letter from where he had placed it, the French police feeling that it must be in other hands." "But where was it?" said the captain again. "Why, where he left it: in a common envelope, plain for everybody to see, just stuck half behind the looking-glass over the mantel-piece, and had probably been in the searchers' hands half-a-dozen times." "That is just the trick that the Cuban will try with us," exclaimed the captain. "I think so," said Dutch; "otherwise one might look upon that mulatto as a suspicious character." "Yes, of course," replied the captain. "I was ready to pitch upon him at first, but I changed my mind, and am more disposed to suspect those two quiet English fellows, Lennie and Rolls, the men Oakum was talking to some time back." "I know," said Dutch. "One of them is a dark fellow, with an outrageous cast in his eye." "In both his eyes, you mean," said the captain. "That is Rolls. The other fellow seems as thick-headed and stupid as an ox. He has a perpetual grin on his face, and looks simplicity itself." "I know the men," said Dutch. "But now what do you propose to do?" "Nothing but wait. I had thought of putting the others on their guard; but by doing so I might defeat my own ends. Perhaps, after all, I am wrong, and we shall never hear more of Master Laure, except, if we are successful, he may attack you by law for a share." "But you could take precautions," exclaimed Dutch, who again glanced involuntarily at his wife, who sat there watching him in a sad appealing way that went to his heart. "Every precaution with respect to the arms, which I always keep under lock and key. And now, what I want you to do is to keep about at all times, night or day, as the chance may serve, picking up such facts as you come across, and communicating them to me; while, for my part, I shall keep every possible stitch of canvas set, and reach the place as soon as I can." "For it may turn out a false alarm," said Dutch. "I trust it may; but I feel sure it will not," replied the captain. "I'm afraid I must agree with you," said Dutch. "Depend upon it, there is some deeply-laid plot ready to be sprung upon us. However, forewarned--" "Man overboard! Man overboard!" shouted half-a-dozen voices in chorus; and directly after, Mr Jones, the mate, was heard to cry hoarsely to the man at the wheel-- "Hard down, my lad, hard down; steady, my lads. Quick to those braces--'bout ship."