"Really, I'm not surprised at anything in this ship," replied Gerald. "How is it going to end? The _Olive Branch_ cannot keep the sea indefinitely. She must take in stores, have her hull coated in dry dock, and undergo a periodical refit. It all costs money, and where does the money come from? Who is this Captain Brookes? A millionaire--a fanatic--or what?" "I suppose---- Hallo, who's there? Come in." A timid knock at the door had interrupted Jack Stockton's sentence. A fresh-complexioned round-faced little man edged cautiously into the cabin, and carefully closed the door behind him. It was Taylor, the scientist. "Well, Mr. Taylor, what can we do for you?" demanded Gerald. "Hush, sir, not so loud, I pray of you," replied the little man, anxiously, his closely cut greyish hair bristling in his excitement. "My name is Schneider, not Taylor. [Illustration: "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your sneaking complaints. So clear out!"] "I am a professor of languages and sciences. You came from Poole, is it not? Zen perhaps you are acquainted with Colonel Mortebeque? I was at one time tutor to his son----" "Look here, Mr. Schneider," broke in Tregarthen, impatiently. "I don't know Colonel What's-his-name, nor do I want to hear your personal history. Come to the point--what do you want with us?" "Alas!" groaned the professor with a shudder and a curious grimace. "I have been trapped; brought on ze voyage under false representations. It was to be scientist zat I was brought, but ze Captain Brookes he would me make fill ze shells in ze laboratories. I like it not. He is pirate." "Who says he is a pirate?" asked Gerald sternly. "Me, I will not say it. But zen, he is a--a what you call it. Ah! I know--a wizard. You two are also in peril. Will you ask ze captain to let you go on land at ze first port we touch, and take me wit you? Zen we run away and be safe." "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box. If you've any complaint, why not lay it before the captain himself? If as you say the captain is a wizard he might be listening now to what you are saying. You understand? Well, then, clear out." "A bright specimen of a sneaking waster," remarked Jack, as the cabin door closed on the retreating figure of the professor. "I wonder if there's any truth in his tale, eh?" "I don't think the skipper will go to that extent," replied Gerald; as he prepared to turn in. "Anyway, we're here, so let's make the best of things. By George! old chap, to tell the truth, I'm jolly glad we came." [Illustration: chapter VIII] CHAPTER VIII TREACHERY FOR several days the _Olive Branch_ continued her headlong course southwards, bound for the Magellan Straits, the gateway to the Pacific. During that time Tregarthen had little opportunity of speaking to Captain Brookes. The little man was literally working night and day.