“Of course,” said a low, firm voice, and I started to see that Mr Denning was standing outside.
“My practice is always to save life if I can, Mr Denning,” said the doctor, sadly. “Are you not too hard and revengeful?”
“Neither, sir,” replied Mr Denning, sternly. “If I were alone I would say nothing, but I have my sister to protect, and I say that at any cost these ruffians must not leave that place alive.”
There was so absolute a silence in the captain’s cabin, that we all heard distinctly a piteous sigh from that which Mr Denning had just left.
“Yes, Mr Denning is quite right,” said Mr Preddle, in his highly-pitched voice. “I hate all this, and I am not a fighting man; but I know that I shall fire on the first wretch who tries to break out without a qualm.”
“You hear, Mr Frewen,” said the mate; “I am forced by circumstances to take very strong measures.”
“That may mean the death of several of those misguided men?” said Mr Frewen, excitedly.
“I fear so, sir. But Captain Berriman agrees with me that it is our duty, unless we like to well provision a boat and leave the ship.”
“But that would be a terrible alternative,” said Mr Frewen, hastily.
“Terrible, sir; and a cowardly and unfaithful one to the owners of the vessel.”