I had read of the fiendish vengeance which awaited a spy. I knew that men with their lives in their hands would stick at nothing. All I could do was to cower at the bottom of the boat and listen silently to their whispered talk below. “This place will do,” said a voice. “Yes, the leeward side is best.” “I wonder if the trigger will act?” “I am sure it will.” “We were to let it off at ten, were we not?” “Yes, at ten sharp. We have eight minutes yet.” There was a pause. Then the voice began again-- “They’ll hear the drop of the trigger, won’t they?” “It doesn’t matter. It will be too late for anyone to prevent its going off.” “That’s true. There will be some excitement among those we have left behind, won’t there?” “Rather! How long do you reckon it will be before they hear of us?” “The first news will get in in about twenty-four hours.” “That will be mine.” “No, mine.” “Ha, ha! we’ll settle that.” There was a pause here. Then I heard Muller’s voice in a ghastly whisper, “There’s only five minutes more.” How slowly the moments seemed to pass! I could count them by the throbbing of my heart. “It’ll make a sensation on land,” said a voice. “Yes, it will make a noise in the newspapers.” I raised my head and peered over the side of the boat. There seemed no hope, no help. Death stared me in the face, whether I did or did not give the alarm. The captain had at last left the bridge. The deck was deserted, save for those two dark figures crouching in the shadow of the boat. Flannigan had a watch lying open in his hand. “Three minutes more,” he said. “Put it down upon the deck.” “No, put it here on the bulwarks.” It was the little square box. I knew by the sound that they had placed it near the davit, and almost exactly under my head. I looked over again. Flannigan was pouring something out of a paper into his hand. It was white and granular--the same that I had seen him use in the morning. It was meant as a fuse, no doubt, for he shovelled it into the little box, and I heard the strange noise which had previously arrested my attention. “A minute and a half more,” he said. “Shall you or I pull the string?” “I will pull it,” said Muller. He was kneeling down and holding the end in his hand. Flannigan stood behind with his arms folded, and an air of grim resolution upon his face. I could stand it no longer. My nervous system seemed to give way in a moment. “Stop!” I screamed, springing to my feet. “Stop, misguided and unprincipled men!” They both staggered backward. I fancy they thought I was a spirit, with the moonlight streaming down upon my pale face. I was brave enough now. I had gone too far to retreat. “Cain was damned!” I cried, “and he slew but one; would you have the blood of two hundred upon your souls?” “He’s mad!” said Flannigan. “Time’s up! Let it off, Muller.” I sprang down upon the deck. “You shan’t do it!” I said. “By what right do you prevent us?” “By every right, human and divine.”