"That would not matter," Bufton said now, his voice low, but still distinct enough to be heard by the listener in the next room. "Would not matter much. He would lie in the 'tween decks during the voyage--is't not so? And if he did not, what matter--when once you are at sea?" "He would come back," the mate said, "in two--three--four--months. What good that?" "He might," said Bufton, "_throw himself overboard_ in despair. I have--heard--of such--things--happening--on dark nights. Such things are done--will--perhaps be done by others; by one of the women you will take to-night. If--he--did do so--if you brought me the news when you visit England again, there would be a purse for you." "Devil," whispered Granger on the other side of the door. "Devil incarnate, you have learnt your lesson well." And again he felt for the pistol, withdrawing, however, his hand quickly, in fear that his passion would overmaster him and cause him to precipitate matters. "Oh yes! he might," the mate replied, with a deep gurgling laugh. "He might. Such things are done----" "Have happened," interposed Bufton. "Yes. Oh yes! Have happened. It could be done--could 'happen.' But that is not all. The master will see him brought on board. He sees all before they go below." "He will be masked. We have provided ourselves with them, so that the women shall not know us. He will be masked as well as I. And, in the fog and the darkness of the night, how can the skipper recognise him? Turn him face downwards, too, and say that he is drunk. None will know that he has been stunned instead." The white-faced listener on the other side of the door--white-faced not from fear, but from passion--muttered nothing now. Instead, he nodded his head reflectively, as though conning weighty matters; but still he never took his ear from the door. "That might pass," the mate said, "that might pass. Only how to get him?" "This way. Listen. The women come first----" "_Do they?_ thought Granger. "Then, when they are secured and sent to the boat (the sailors who go with them saying that a man is also being brought from the spot two or three hundred yards away), I will start to follow, bidding him come after me when he has discharged the carriage. Therefore, your men will know whom to take. It will be the second man." "The second man," repeated the mate. And Granger also repeated (but to himself), "The second man." "Ay, the second man. Both being masked." "We can attempt it," the sailor said now. "But though we shall doubtless get him on board and down below, I would be sworn the master will discover all when we are at sea. He will inspect his live-stock, and then----" "Then," said Bufton, "there will be the accident which will follow--the casting of himself into the sea in despair. Will there not, my friend?" "Perhaps," the other answered, in a voice that sounded like a dubious one. "But--but--these things----"