The few seconds that followed were among the longest of my life. But just as I heard the second man coming with the lantern, some one below called to the man close to me by name. “Gompez!” He went a couple of steps down the companion way and replied that he was going to see that all was snug on deck, and before the words were out of his mouth I was half-way to the stern. Then followed the grimmest game of hide and seek I have ever had to play. But the odds were on my side. The two men went carefully round the deck; but, fool-like, kept together. The light of the lantern showed me exactly where they were all the time, and by skulking from cover to cover I had little difficulty in keeping out of their way. My movements were absolutely noiseless, and the dark grey costume I had fortunately put on made it almost impossible for them to see me. I had one other narrow escape. I had worked my way back again to the companion while they were in the bows, when another man came out and called to them sharply to be quick. I was crouched so close to him that he could have touched me if he had stretched out a hand in my direction. But instead of that he went a few steps toward the others and I turned and slipped away in the opposite direction. Two or three minutes later the three went below, the newcomer expressing a strong opinion about the folly of having shown a light. Giving them time to join the rest of the party below, I crawled back to the companion and settled myself to listen once more. Barosa’s was the first voice I heard distinctly. “We needn’t waste any more time in discussing it. Captain Gompez was quite right to satisfy himself and as we are indebted to him for having the boat at all, it is surely ungracious to charge him with wasting a few minutes for this purpose. And now, please, will you let me explain exactly what are the arrangements for to-morrow? Major Sampayo has carefully examined these papers, and every detail is as I told you it would be.” There was a murmur of interest, followed by a pause, and then Barosa spoke again. “I have news of the greatest importance for you, gentlemen, and that you may appreciate it fully, I shall be obliged if you will carefully study this plan of the scene.” A considerable rustling of papers followed as the plans were handed round, the whispering of many questions, and then another pause of silent, almost breathless expectancy. CHAPTER XXI PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT The pause was a long one before Barosa spoke again.