Chard vouchsafed no reply, and the three waited in silence for the return of Slade. In a surprisingly short space of time, considering his errand, the constable returned in uniform with a warrant for Finland's arrest. Now that the worst had come, Jack turned a trifle pale, and slipped his pipe into his pocket with an uneasy laugh. Chard seemed well pleased. "Take him to the lock-up, Slade," he ordered; "we'll have him up before the magistrate at Poldew to-morrow. I'll remain here; Mr. Johnson and I must have a few words." "Come on," said Slade, now a typical Jack-in-office. He laid his hand on Finland's collar. "Don't show off, mate," said Finland, twisting himself free. "I'll go quiet enough. Let's walk arm-in-arm, and then they'll take us for brothers. 'Tain't no use kicking up dust, you know. Good-bye, Mr. Chard; I'll put a spoke in your wheel before this crook is straightened out. Mr. Johnson, you're a square man. I thank you for your kindness. Don't forget to give that letter to the skipper." "I promise you it shall be delivered this evening." Jack and Slade departed quite affectionately, arm-in-arm, as the sailor had suggested. Chard waited till they were fairly on their way. Then he turned to the minister peremptorily. "Now then, sir, that letter, if you please!" Johnson looked astonished and ill pleased. "The letter is for Captain Shackel, sir." "Afterwards, perhaps: first it is for me. You don't think I am going to lose a chance of making things safe for this scoundrel's hanging?" "Finland is not a scoundrel," rejoined Johnson, quietly; "indeed, I begin to think he is perfectly innocent. As to the letter, that remains in my pocket." "Mr. Johnson, I don't want to be unpleasant," cried Chard, looking ugly, "but I must remind you that I am a police officer. I've a perfect right to see the letter of a man under arrest on a criminal charge; and I must insist upon your handing it over to me." "Does the law authorize you to read this letter?" "Yes, sir; it does. If the man were free it would not, but the law permits me to gather all evidence I can in support of the case. That letter may be invaluable. Give it to me, please." Johnson hesitated. He saw the weakness of his position. He wished to assist Finland, for he believed him to be innocent; moreover, he did not wish, without the strongest reason, to fail in the trust he had undertaken. Still, Chard, as the representative of the law, had right and might on his side. If he did not give up the letter willingly, he would no doubt be forced to. On consideration he decided he could do nothing but yield. "Here is the letter," said he, taking it from his pocket. "I trust you will deliver it to its address when you have done with it." "That depends entirely upon the contents," said Chard, grimly. He untwisted the piece of paper. Finland had not put it into an envelope. The reason for this was soon apparent. Chard looked at it carefully, then he swore.