The eight went away as suggested, and after a short discussion, the meeting terminated and work proceeded as before. In the meantime, immediately the eight had left, Gilbert slipped into the sanctum and set the sehen-microphones in recording motion, which, minute by minute, recorded the mutineers’ every act and speech, how they had formulated a plan to seize the ship, for as there were several eminent electricians amongst them, they did not for a moment doubt their ability to work her. They considered all the cautionary notices placed in various parts of the vessel, forbidding further passage, to be but ‘bluff,’ merely placed there to give an air of mystery to intensify the influence of the owners, and it was absurd to think that if they transgressed they would be held rigid, if not seriously injured. And all the time, silently and secretly, the recorders reproduced their every word with persistent and remorseless accuracy, working automatically by electricity and independent of attention. Occasionally one or other of the owners saw that the supply of films was ample, and so, hour after hour, from the first suspicion of danger, each of the eight cabins and the far saloon were kept in circuit, and waking or sleeping every action of the eight suspects was recorded in indisputable evidence. On turning in for the night, the owners took out some of the films, and placing them on a reproducer in their private room heard the whole scheme. Upon this, ascertaining that all the occupants were in their berths, the doors of their cabins were electrically sealed, and the friends retired to rest, keeping a four hours’ watch in turn, for they had agreed that during the whole of the voyage, considering they were not alone, at least one of them should always be in guarded territory. The following morning, all met together as arranged, and Dennis—who as chief and senior owner was deputed spokesman—requested the eight mutineers to stand at one side of the saloon, and the rest at the opposite side; he, with his two partners, being behind the barrier.