He fastened a fixed, fascinating look upon the figure of the friend he had so villainously betrayed, and retreating a step, groped about behind him, for the handle of the door.
At last he got hold of it, and turned it.
"Stop!"
Deering had spoken, and with a jerk the jovial Captain Robinson turned round.
"Joe!" he gasped, again, "did you speak?"
Now Joe Deering saw by the traitor's pallid cheeks, and frightened look, what was passing in his mind.
So he was at no pains to destroy the illusion.
"I did. Your ears did not deceive you."
"I thought not," faltered Captain Robinson, plucking up in a faint degree, however.
"You marvel to see the ocean give up its dead," began Joe Deering, in a hollow voice.