He and the doctor sprang up the steps; the motor boat gave itself a flick astern, and then the steam launch came to the floor of the gangway. Stranleigh welcomed his guests at the head of the stair, conducted captain and manager to easy-chairs aft, and ordered the deck steward to bring them sherry and bitters. He made a mental note of the fact that the mate had remained in the launch, and from this surmised that he had not succeeded in allaying the suspicions of captain and manager. He resolved to give them an opportunity of consulting alone together, wondering what their action would be when they had come to a decision regarding recent events. “I must go below to see about the wine. Like a prudent owner I hold the keys of the wine bin myself. With a mixed crew you know the wisdom of such a course, captain.” “Yes, sir, I do,” and with this the genial host went down the companion way with the doctor. “What do you think of him?” muttered the captain, when they were thus left in solitude on the after deck. “Oh, he’s all right,” said Frowningshield confidently. “I’ve met plenty of that kind before. A rich ass, good-natured, without too much brains, blowing in the money he has inherited.” “I’m not so sure of that,” replied the captain. “Oh, you’re suspicious of everybody. He has blundered in here, and I dare say has amused himself as he said, shooting and chopping, and what not.” “Do you see,” murmured the captain, “that this boat is fitted up for wireless telegraphy? That’s the meaning of the line between the masts.” Frowningshield looked aloft. “Oh, that’s it, is it? Well, I don’t see anything to worry about, even if it is so. I suppose plenty of yachts are fitted with Marconi apparatus nowadays. It certainly can’t be much use to him here in West Africa.” “He might be in communication with some one outside.” “Out in the ocean, you mean? What would be the good of that?” “I don’t know,” replied the captain. “This chap is too smooth-tongued to suit my book.” “What do you propose to do? Sink his craft and drown the lot of them?” “No.” “What then?” “Keep an eye on him, and not drink too much of his wine.” “You don’t need to give that warning to me, captain. It would come more pat applied nearer home.” “You are right,” admitted the captain. “If you notice me becoming talkative, just give me a nudge, will you? We must sit together at table.” “I think you are unduly suspicious, captain. This boat must have left England before we did.” “I’m not so sure of that. Some of these oceangoing yachts are very fast. She may be turbine-engined.” “Can’t a sea-wise man like you tell whether she is or not by the look of her?” “No, not from the outside. A question to one of the men would settle it.” “Ah, here comes a waiter with the drinks. Well, my man, this is a very nice yacht you have here.” “Yes, sir.” “Turbine engines, I suppose?” “I don’t know, sir. The engineer would be able to tell you.”