"Very well, bos'n. I understand what you mean. I've seen the inside of that safe in the cabin. Now I come straight to the point. Why do you talk with me?" "Because I need a man like you." "To lead the mutiny?" "Tell me first, are you with us?" "Who are us?" "You'll have to speak first." "I'm with you." "Now I'll tell you. The whole forecastle is hungry for the end of White Henshaw. Your share of the money is whatever you want to make it. You can have all my part; what I want is the sight of Henshaw crawlin' at our feet." "You're a good deal of a man, Hovey. Henshaw has put you in his school, and now you're about to graduate, eh? But why do you want me? What brought you to me?" "I thought I didn't need you a while ago; now I have to have somebody stronger than I am. I was the king of the bunch yesterday; but the last man we took into our plan proved to be stronger than I am." "Who?" "Harrigan." McTee straightened slowly and his eyes brightened. Hovey went on: "Before he'd been with us ten minutes, the rest of the men in the forecastle were looking up to him. He has the reputation. He won it by facing you and Henshaw at the same time. Now the lads listen to me, but they keep their eyes on Harrigan. I know what that means. That's why I come here and offer the leadership to you." McTee was thinking rapidly. "A plan like this is fire, bos'n, and I have an idea I might burn my fingers unless you have enough of the crew with you. If you have Harrigan, it certainly means that you have a majority of the rest." Hovey grinned: "Aye, you know Harrigan." The insinuation made McTee hot, but he went on seriously: "If you could make me sure that you have Harrigan, I'd be one of you." "What proof do you want?" "None will do except the word out of his own mouth. Listen! Along about four bells this afternoon I'll find some way of sending Miss Malone out of her cabin. Then I'll go in there and wait. Bring Harrigan close to that door at that tune and make him talk about the mutiny. Can you do it?" "But why the room of the girl?" "You're stupid, Hovey. Because if you talked outside of the cabin where I sleep--that being the office of Henshaw--he'd hear you as well as I would." "Then I'll bring him to the door of the girl's cabin. At four bells?" "Right." "After that we'll talk over the details, sir?" "We will. And keep away from me, Hovey. If Henshaw sees me talking with members of his crew, he might begin to think--and any of his thinking is dangerous for the other fellow." The bos'n touched his cap. "Aye, aye, sir. You can begin hearin' the chink of the money, and I begin to see White Henshaw eatin' dirt. With Black McTee--excusin' the name, sir--to lead us, there ain't nothin' can stop us." CHAPTER 24