“And a good job too,” responded the man unseen in a hard, pitiless tone. “No,” cried Keppel angrily. “At least respect her memory. Remember who she was.” “I shall remember nothing of this night’s work,” the other responded. “I leave all memories of it as a legacy to you.” “You coward!” cried Keppel, turning upon the speaker, his eyes flashing. “I have endeavored to assist you, and this is your gratitude.” “Assist me?” sneered his companion. “Pretty assistance it’s been! I tell you what it is, Benjamin Keppel, you’re in a very tight place just now. You killed that--that woman there, and you know what the penalty is for murder.” “I know,” wailed the white-faced, desperate man. “Well, now, if I might be permitted to advise, I’d make a clear sweep of the whole affair,” said the man. “What do you mean?” “Simply this: we can’t keep the body very long in this cabin without it being discovered. And when it is found--well, it will be all up with both of us. Of that there’s but little doubt. I suggest this: Let us make at once for one of the Italian ports, say Leghorn, where you will land to transact some important business, and I’ll land also. Then the Vispera will sail for Naples, to which port you will go by rail to rejoin her. On the way there, however, the vessel disappears--eh?” “Disappears--how? I don’t understand.” “Is blown up.” “Blown up!” he cried. “And how about the guests?” “Guests be hanged!” “But there are eleven of them, besides the crew.” “Never mind them. There are the boats, and no doubt they’ll all take care of themselves. Fools if they don’t.” “I should feel that I murdered them all,” the old man responded. “In this affair we must save ourselves,” declared the unseen man very firmly. “There has been a--well, we’ll call it an ugly occurrence to-night, and it behooves us to get clear out of it. If the Vispera goes down the body will go down with it, and the sea will hide our secret.” “But I cannot imperil the lives of all in that manner. Besides, by what means do you suggest destroying the ship?” “By perfectly simple means. Just give orders to Davis in the morning to put in at Leghorn with all possible speed, and leave the rest to me. I’ll guarantee that the Vispera will never reach Naples.” Then he added: “But just shut that infernal ventilator; I don’t like it being open.” Old Keppel, staggering, reached the cord, and in obedience to his companion’s wish closed the narrow opening with a sudden bang. The woodwork narrowly escaped coming into contact with my face, and for some moments I remained there, clutching at my unstable supports and being rudely buffeted by the gale. At any moment I might be discovered, therefore after some difficulty I succeeded in lowering myself again to the deck and making my way back to my own cabin. I had been soaked to the skin by the rain and spray, but, still in my wet things, I sat pondering over the mysterious crime I had discovered.