| contributor

“ A sudden roll of the ship sent Darrell's chair skidding out into the moonlight toward the rail. He recovered his balance and his mental grip on himself at the same instant. Whatever Carmen's motive had been in making his extraordinary statement, there was only one thing left the secret-service agent. He must play the game with all the cunning that was in him; be ready to snatch at the slightest clews, and nail down the other's smallest slips. ”

“ A faint smile curved Darrell's lips for an instant, and he raised his eyebrows whimsically.
“My dear fellow,” he protested, “you don't mean to tell me you believed him? You don't imagine for an instant that he really is in the government employ?”
Bellamy's forehead was wrinkled in a puzzled fashion; his eyes were full of indecision. “But how else could he possibly have found out all he knows?” he protested. “I know he lied about his name; but for all that he might have done it as a precaution. You don't know all the men in the service, do you?” ”

“ The secret-service agent's manner was one to inspire confidence, and perhaps the captain was rather glad of a chance to unburden his mind.
“I don't know what ails him,” he growled, in a harassed voice. “It ain't nothing serious, but he thinks he's going to die, an' wants to be put ashore. I done my best to brace the little rat up, but he's scart to death, an' won't listen to anything. Result is, he'll be landed at Magdalena Bay with the other two.” ”