Hervey rose and straightened his legs.

“Then I guess I'd best be getting back to Pierside.”

“One moment, sir. Did anything happen on the voyage?—did Bolton say anything likely to lead you to suppose that he was in danger of being robbed and murdered?”

“No,” said the skipper musingly, and pulling his goatee. “He told me that he had secured the old corpse, and was bringing it home to you. I didn't talk much to Bolton; he wasn't my style.”

“Have you any idea who killed him?”

“No, I ain't.”

“Then how do you propose to find the criminal who has the mummy?”

“You give me five hundred pounds and see,” said Hervey coolly.

“I haven't got the money.”

“Then I reckon you don't get the corpse. So long,” and the skipper strolled towards the door. Braddock followed him.