Ben, you and I have a little job in front of us. Come
into the cabin with me."
I gladly followed him. He was as composed as if battle and death were all
in the routine of a day at sea, and I was full of admiration for his
coolness and courage.
The cabin was in complete disorder, but comparatively few things had been
stolen. Apparently not many of the natives had found their way thither.
"Fortunately," Roger said, unlocking Captain Whidden's chest of which he
had the key, "they've left the spare quadrant. We have instruments to
navigate with, so, when all's said and done, I suppose we're lucky."
He closed the chest and locked it again; then he took from his pocket a
second key. "Benny, my lad," he said, "let's have a look at that one
hundred thousand dollars in gold."
Going into the captain's stateroom, we shut the door and knelt beside the
iron safe. The key turned with difficulty.
"It needs oil," Roger muttered, as he worked over it. "It turns as hard as
if some one has been tinkering with it." By using both hands he forced it
round and opened the door.
The safe was empty.
[Illustration: ]
VI
IN WHICH WE REACH THE PORT OF OUR DESTINATION
[Illustration]
CHAPTER XXIV
FALK PROPOSES A TRUCE
As we faced each other in amazed silence, we could hear the men working on
deck and the sea rippling against the hull of the ship.
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