But pressing work had to be done. The whole of the iron ballast, including the quantity which we had hoped would be supplanted by the pigs of silver, had to be replaced with the utmost dispatch; the water tanks had to be refilled, and stores procured from the island. Working day and night in relays, the crew accomplished their task within forty hours, and the "Fortuna" was ready for her long homeward voyage. Chapter XXI CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening. The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island. My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand. "Well, what is it, Mr. Wilkins?" "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters. I thought I'd best show them to you before I mention the matter to Mr. Trevena." "They are all from the same individual, I notice," remarked Uncle Herbert as he glanced at the address. "This, I take it, is the first." It was a plain envelope, on which was written, "Mr. J. Dirham, Yacht 'Fortuna,' Malta." Taking out the contents, Uncle Herbert held a sheet of closely written paper up to the light of a deck lamp. On the top of the paper was the heading, _The Yachtsman's Fortnightly Journal_, with an address at Plymouth. DEAR SIR. (it ran),-- We are in receipt of your letter of the 21st ult., and note the information given of "Fortuna" yacht as arranged. Kindly let us know as soon as can be ascertained the lat. and long. of the island to which you go. A further sum of five shillings has been placed to your credit in our ledgers. Yours very truly, JAMES TICKET (Editor). "There's something fishy about this, Mr. Wilkins. In the first place, I don't believe there is such a journal as _The Yachtsman's Fortnightly_, and, secondly, no editor would pen such un-English jargon." "That's what I thought, sir; now read this one." The second communication was addressed to the yacht at Point de Galle, Ceylon, and thanked the recipient for the information regarding the position of San Philipo Island. Curiously enough, it was signed "James Trickett," a difference of two letters to the signature of the previous epistle. "Do you think we might show them to Mr. Trevena?" asked the bos'n. "I don't like to worry him, seeing him so cut up just at present. "I don't think it will do him any harm," replied my uncle. "If anything, it will give him something to occupy his mind. I am of the opinion that some underhand business is afloat, and that Dirham was an agent in the matter. However, we'll see what my brother has to say about it."