"That's not quite so easy, 'cause I've got boots on," replied Coble. "However, I'll take up another berth." The men walked away, and Vanslyperken could hear no more; but he had heard quite enough. The life of the dog had been attempted by Smallbones, it was evident. Mr Vanslyperken, after a little agitation, rang the bell. "By all that's blue, the skipper's on board!" exclaimed the men on deck. "When the devil did he come?" "Not in my watch, at all events," replied Coble. "Did he come in yours, Short?" "No," replied Short. "Then it must have been in the corporal's." "The corporal never called me, nor was he 'on deck," replied Coble. "I've a notion he never kept his watch." The ring at the bell particularly concerned two people, the two culprits, Smallbones and Corporal Van Spitter. The latter made his appearance; but previous to his answering the bell, Mr Vanslyperken had time to reflect. "So they think my dog is supernatural," said he; "so much the better. I'll make them believe it still more." Mr Vanslyperken called the dog, and pointed to his bed. The dog, who was fond of a warm berth, and but seldom allowed to get on the bed, immediately jumped up into it when invited, and Mr Vanslyperken patted him, and covered him up with the bedclothes. He then drew the curtains of the bed, and waited to see who would answer the bell. Corporal Van Spitter made his appearance. "Corporal, I came on board very late, where have you put the dog? Bring him into the cabin." Here the corporal, who was prepared, shook his head, smoothed down the hair of his forehead, and made a very melancholy face. "It was all my fault, Mynheer Vanslyperken; yet I do for the best, but de tog be lost." "How is that, corporal?" The corporal then stated that he had taken the precaution to take the dog on shore, as he was afraid to leave it on board when he went to the washerwoman's, and that he was not long there, but while he was, the dog disappeared. He had looked everywhere, but could not find it. "You took Smallbones with you?" said Vanslyperken. "Yes, mynheer, to carry de linen." "And where was he when you were at the washerwoman's." "He was here and dere." "I know that it was he who killed and buried the dog, corporal." Corporal Van Spitter started, he thought he was discovered. "Kilt and perryed, mein Gott!" said the corporal, obliged to say something. "Yes, I overheard the men say so on deck, corporal. He must have taken the opportunity when you were in the house counting the linen." Now the corporal had time to recover himself, and he argued that anything was better than that he should be suspected. Smallbones was already known to have attempted the life of the dog, so he would leave the lieutenant in his error. "Mein Gott' he is von d----d kill-dog feller," observed the corporal. "I look everywhere, I no find te tog. Den de dog is dead?"