There was a few moments’ silence, and then Captain Studwick spoke again.
“I always felt that there was something wrong—always. Bear me witness that I did, Pugh, and yet I could not tell what it was.”
“You did,” said Dutch, who was listening intently.
“But this is no time for talking,” cried Mr Parkley excitedly. “The scoundrel! the villain! to outdo us like this; and at such a time, when we have just succeeded in getting the treasure. Only to think of it, we have been working like this for him.”
“It has not come to that yet,” said Dutch, quietly, and his voice sounded strangely in the dark. “We are fastened down here, of course, Studwick?”
“Yes, I have tried hard, but they have secured us,” said the captain.
“How many are we here?” said Dutch.
“Don’t talk like that, Mr Pugh,” said Wilson, the naturalist. “You never mean to fight.”
“Englishmen always mean to fight, Mr Wilson,” said Dutch, sternly, “when there are women to protect.”
“That was well said,” exclaimed a voice from the far end of the little saloon. “I wish I was a strong, hearty man like you.”