“I suppose it’s best for them not to know that there’s no such island?” hazarded Mr. Duckett.

“O’ course,” snapped his companion.  “Looks better for us, don’t it, giving them back a map worth half a million.  Now go through the yarn again and I’ll see whether I can pick any holes in it.  The train goes in half an hour.”

Mr. Duckett sighed and, first emptying his mug, began a monotonous recital.  Brisket listened attentively.

“We were down below asleep when the men came running down and overpowered us.  They weighed anchor at night, and following morning made you, by threats, promise to steer them to the island.  You told me on the quiet that you’d die before you betrayed the owners’ trust.  How did they know that the island the gentlemen were on wasn’t the right one?  Because Sam Betts was standing by when you told me you’d made a mistake in your reckoning and said we’d better go ashore and tell them.”

“That’s all right so far, I think,” said Brisket, nodding.

“We sailed about and tried island after island just to satisfy the men and seize our opportunity,” continued Mr. Duckett, with a weary air.  “At last, one day, when they were all drunk ashore, we took the map, shipped these natives, and sailed back to the island to rescue the owners.  Found they’d gone when we got there.  Mr. Stobell’s boot and an old pair of braces produced in proof.”

“Better wrap it up in a piece o’ newspaper,” said Brisket, stooping and producing the relic in question from under the table.

“Shipped four white men at Viti Levu and sailed for home,” continued Mr. Duckett.  “Could have had more, but wanted to save owners’ pockets, and worked like A.B.’s ourselves to do so.”

“Let’em upset that if they can,” said Brisket, with a confident smile.  “The crew are scattered, and if they happened to get one of them it’s only his word against ours.  Wait a bit.  How did the crew know of the treasure?”

“Chalk told you,” responded the obedient Duckett.  “And if he told you —­and he can’t deny it—­why not them?”

Captain Briskett nodded approval.  “It’s all right as far as I can see,” he said, cautiously.  “But mind.  Leave the telling of it to me.  You can just chip in with little bits here and there.  Now let’s get under way.”

He threw away the stump of his cigar and rose, turning as he reached the corner for a lingering glance at the Fair Emily.

“Scrape her and clean her and she’d be as good as ever,” he said, with a sigh.  “She’s just the sort o’ little craft you and me could ha’ done with, Peter.”

They had to change twice on the way to Binchester, and at each stopping-place Mr. Duckett, a prey to nervousness, suggested the wisdom of disappearing while they had the opportunity.

“Disappear and starve, I suppose?” grunted the scornful Brisket.  “What about my certificate? and yours, too?  I tell you it’s our only chance.”