"’This is the end’ said Lee Fu, speaking in loud jerks, as he steered across the lagoon ’From this haven there is no way out, except by the way we came. That way, of course, is closed by the gale. To windward is shelter, ahead is destruction. I will seek the shelter if you will speak. If not, I shall go on. By this time, Captain, you know me to be a man of my word’ "’You yellow devil!...’ "’Waste no time in recriminations. Beyond these reefs, Captain, lies the wreck of your ship, the _Speedwell_. I have brought you to see the scene. There my friend met death at your hands. You have had full time to consider. Will you join him beneath the waves, or will you return to Hong Kong? A word will save you. Remember, the moments pass very swiftly’ "’What about yourself and Nichols?’ blustered Wilbur. "’We go too ... or stay ... it makes little difference. This is a matter that you cannot understand. We do not care’ "At this juncture, I was fated to under-estimate Wilbur after all. I thought him broken; but a last flicker of obstinate pride remained, to prop his extraordinary ego. He pulled himself together again, and whirled on us. "’I didn’t do it!’ he snarled. ’It’s a damned, scoundrelly lie!’ "’Very well, Captain. Go forward once more, and reserve your final explanation for the gods’ "The flicker of pride persisted; Wilbur staggered off, holding by the rail. I waited beside Lee Fu. Thus we stood, like wooden images, watching the approach of the lagoon’s leeward margin. Had Lee Fu spoken truthfully—was there no way out, in that direction? I couldn’t be certain. All I knew was that the wall of spouting surf was at our bows, that the jaws of death were opening again. "Suddenly Wilbur’s head snapped back; he flung up his arms in a gesture of finality, shaking clenched fists into the sky. With a thrill that tingled to my finger-tips, I realized that he was at the point of surrender. The torture had reached his vitals. He turned and floundered aft, holding his hands before his face like a man struck blind. "’What is it I must say?’ he cried hoarsely, in a voice that by its very abasement had taken on a certain dignity. "’You know. The truth, or nothing!’ "His face was shocking in its self-revelation; a strong man breaking isn’t a pleasant object. I saw how awful had been this struggle of the wills. He came to his final decision as we watched, lost his last grip.... "’I did it—as you said—you must know all about it. I suppose I sank her—I had no intention ... You madman! For God’s sake, haul up, before you’re in the breakers!’ "’Show me your insurance money’ said Lee Fu inexorably. "Wilbur dug frantically in an inside pocket, produced a packet of bank notes, and held them out in a hand that trembled violently as the gale fluttered the crisp leaves. "’Throw them overboard’