The Devil's Admiral

"But I'd have you know, sir, that the Kut Sang is no bally chapel, and I don't take murder aboard me as a regular custom, and let it go at tha

ding a departing s

t to see what this is all about, and why-Mr. T

lized that he had told us the secr

enough," he said, confus

eeker, raising his eyebrows in mild

inute before we sailed he showed papers as supercargo and announced that he was in charge of the ship, and that he represented the charter party. The truth of his statements wa

," said Meeker. "Will

account

ed still stand. The Dutchman, Rajah-the Dutchman," and

ted for the Dutchman, who soon came clumping down the passage. He nearly stumbled over the b

nd then looked at

e every man Jack of 'em up here, and let us see what they have been about. Have Mr. Harris muster

te of the Kut Sang. Rajah and a Chinese sailor spread old canvas c

n an old pair of dungaree trousers and a jacket that had been wh

owled, looking coldly at the scene bef

h below and all. Muster them in the passageway, and let them in here one at a time, the

ll know the knife, cap

laying back, and you be here so I can find out what every man has

ard the door of the passage. He took off his glasses and wiped them i

enger," said Meeker, leaning his elbows

d spectacles again, "I am going to hold an inquiry now, and, as witnesses to what

out this business that

this happen aboard me

st time since I've had

full confidenc

, and keep it from you, gentlemen, is past me. Perhaps I should not have said anything about this en

is head and fingering his shell crucifix. "What are the details of t

efore the lines were cast off. He told me that this man wanted to take charge of lading the last of the cargo-cargo

stances. However, Mr. Trego was going to explain. It may be all right and nothing out of the ordin

he cargo?"

t says. Several cases-By George!

arming up the fire-room ladder, chattering and yelling to their mates below. Th

, whom I recognized as one of the men

rris, "Says he has been for'ard since goi

h pencil poised, "what's your

taring at a lamp, and avoiding the

his nose was broken, hanging a trifle to one side. He was short, with great hulking shoulders. His black shirt was open at

light on this dreadful affair, that the guilty may be

nd holding up his hand. "I'll ask the questions, if you please, Mr

eplied Buckrow, keeping his

s dead m

e,

at him! Did you ha

nce at the dead man and fasten

ho kill

, s

all fo

mined the crew list to verify him. He said that he was known as "Long Jim" by his mates. He did not seem to take the murder as a serio

should be sitting on an inquiry board. Meeker returned his gaze in a disinterested manner, swaying in his chair

to the light, and hitched up his trousers in a nonchalant manner that was amusing. He had hi

and they make a joke on

' sir. Bee

, sir; has the wheel in the Dut

go then?" deman

n, sir, after a

?" put in Harris, giving th

in my b

passed the galley ports a minute or so

ything like that, sir,

en ye come off watch. I heard ye yarnin' with Buckrow, or what's his name, just after

Riggs suddenly, leaning for

irst to port as ye go down-right at

r. Harris. Is it in t

rak, looking about nervous

that's yer knife right there under yer eyes

man," interjected Meeke

he trut

speak when ye're spoken to

involuntary on my part. I be

d you killed him," re

ak doggedly, but in spite of his brave showing there was a whimper in his voice and his knees trembled.

le with a leather sheath and a kn

it, just as I said, and Bucky found it in m

and he hesitated. Then he looked at Buckrow, who wa

minute, my man! W

Buckrow in amaz

ou were here first. Where is i

his face into varying expressions as he found his she

me of them cussed chinks mus

" said Riggs. "The red

knife?" said Buckrow,

Petrak, or whatever his name is, in irons, Mr. Harris; and you, Buckrow, you know more than you'll tell. Mind what you're about or you'll be clapped in iro

etrak, as Harris put his hand on his shoulder to take hi

t?" said Ri

said Meeker despite the caution Ri

at I brought his bag aboard, paid me for it. Said he would, and gave me some of the money on d

aghast at the accusation of the little red-headed man. "My dear sir,

holm? I remember now that I did see this man taking money from you

give me t

roared Harr

f affairs and hardly able to believe what I heard from

that," retorted Riggs

omewhat surprised to f

mit that you brought thi

m to kn

bout Manila all day! I thought I was to be rid of

t for a killin' of tha

e was passing me the s

me now-they

for you, Mr. Trenholm

him and Petrak together much in Manila, but I was so angry for a mi

ession of me, and I reached for a pistol, intending to hold Meeker under the muzzle of it an

rned to see Rajah behind me, holding my arm in a firm

ing blandly. "One crime should serve your

my pistols, and I knew that I had made a foo

ut this, Mr. Trenhol