Then, turning to the skipper, he asked, "How was the gentleman brought on board?" "He was brought in a private carriage about six o'clock in the evening, my men say. Two gentlemen carried him on board. The dock police stopped them, but they told the constable that the gentleman was drunk." "And when you received this letter, what did you do?" "Well, I put him in the second mate's cabin, and left him alone till two days later, when he came to. Then I just carried out my orders." "Where are you bound for?" "The round trip--Stockholm, Riga, St Petersburg, Drammen, Christiansund, and home." "That means a month." "More--six weeks." "Your owners, therefore, were anxious that the doctor should be absent from England during that time. There is some mystery here, on the face of it. Doctor Colkirk has related to me a very remarkable story, and the most searching inquiry should be instituted." "Well, sir," Banfield said apologetically, "I hope you don't consider my conduct bad. I've only carried out my orders to the letter. You see I didn't know that the gentleman was on board until we'd actually left the quay; and the letter says, quite distinctly, that he's subject to fits, therefore I let him remain quiet until he regained consciousness." Then, turning to me, he added, "I trust, sir, that you'll accept my apology." "That's all very well," interposed the Consul; "but you know that you did entirely wrong in sailing with an unconscious stranger on board." "I admit that. But you see I had my orders, sir." "Who delivered them to you?" I inquired. "The two gentlemen who brought you on board," he responded. "Have any of your men described them to you?" "They only said that they were both well dressed, and about middle age." They were, without doubt, the Tempter and his accomplice. The conspiracy had been conceived and carried out with amazing ingenuity. "And they brought the doctor on board and delivered this letter?" "Yes, sir. They afterwards re-entered the carriage and drove away." "Well," said the Consul, "the only course I see is for the doctor to take this letter, return to London, and seek an explanation of your owners." "No, sir, I shan't give up the letter. It's written to me," demurred the captain. "But it is in my hands," responded the Consul. "I am making inquiries into this affair, and I shall act as I think best in the interest of all parties concerned. The letter is your property, certainly; but recollect that this affair may prove very awkward for your owners. Therefore, take my advice, Captain, and assist this gentleman in his inquiries." "I protest against you keeping the letter." "Very well, I will see that your protest is forwarded to your owners," replied the Consul; and he handed me the letter, saying--