Dick again descended the ladder, and the special agent followed, axe in hand. Annie, with horrified eyes, sat limp against the hatch and took in every motion in that dimly lighted group below. She saw Dick and Harper stand aside; she saw Beveridge raise the axe a little way and bring it down sharply on the end of a stick of timber,--an end that was marked with a circular groove; she saw the timber split open, and a plug fall out; she saw Beveridge stoop and dip his fingers in a brown liquid that was flowing from some sort of a broken receptacle; she smelled whiskey. She was confused, she had only a half understanding of what it meant, but she shivered as if a cold wind were blowing upon her; and when they had all three mounted to the deck and were standing about her, she was still sitting there, holding to something, she knew not what, and gazing with fascinated eyes into the square black hole,--blacker than at first, now that Harper was holding the lantern before her on the deck. But she knew when Beveridge stepped forward to help her up, only to be brushed aside by Dick, who raised her gently, with a low exclamation of pity, and helped her across the deck. The three men gathered about her at the rail. “Before we go any farther,” said the agent, in a conversational tone, “will you men walk into Cap'n Fargo's house with me and sit down while we talk this over a little? If you say you will, I'm willing to take your word. But if not, I have men on the pier and on the bank that might help you to make up your minds.” “That's not necessary. We 'll go with you. Just a step up, Annie. Put your hand on my shoulder.” “All right, Mister Smiley. Come, Harper.” In passing his assistant, Beveridge paused to whisper: “I 'll be at the house. See that McGlory doesn't try to get ashore. If he gives you any trouble, whistle.” A few moments more, and they were seated around Mrs. Fargo's dining table, Beveridge, Dick, Pink Harper, and the old fisherman. Annie was shut in her room, refusing admittance even to her mother. “There's one question that comes up right here, Mr. Smiley,” began Beveridge, “before we go any farther. Is this man Harper one of your accomplices?” “What do you mean by that?” “Don't take my time by evasions. You have given me trouble enough now. If you will tell me he has had little or nothing to do with this business, and if he can give a good account of himself, I 'll let him go. What do you say?” “Will you tell me what you mean?” “That's enough. I won't waste any more time on it. We 'll hold him. Cap'n,” turning to Fargo, “there's one thing--I guess you can understand my position--I shall have to call on Annie for a witness, a little later.” Here Dick broke out. “So that's why you dragged her into this, is it?” “Be careful what you say, Mr. Smiley.” Dick looked hard at him, then glanced around the group, then settled back in his chair. After a short silence, Captain Fargo spoke.