“Did you?” exclaimed Chase, eagerly. “That accounts for it. I understand the matter, now.”
“I don’t,” replied Featherweight. “I am all in the dark.”
“If you will release me I will soon enlighten you. You will have to use your knife, for my hands are tied behind my back, and one end of the rope is made fast to a ring-bolt in the deck, so that I can’t get up.”
Featherweight was more amazed than ever when he found that Chase was a prisoner, but he refrained from asking any questions, knowing that in due time he would hear all about it. He forgot now that Chase was his sworn enemy, and that only the day before he had been standing face to face with him in a hostile attitude, and that when Bayard and his men approached to attack the Sportsman’s Club, Chase had singled him out as his own special object of vengeance, and made at him as though he meant to tear him in pieces. Featherweight did not care to remember this against him now; but Chase must have thought of it, for when his visitor placed his lantern on the floor, and, clambering over the coil of rope, bent down to untie the prisoner’s arms, the latter said, with some embarrassment—
“Fred, I little thought yesterday that I should ever have to ask a favor of you.”
“Never mind it now,” replied Featherweight. “I didn’t bear you any ill-will, and I hope that from this time forward we will be fast friends.”
“You may safely bet on me,” said Chase, earnestly, as Featherweight helped him to his feet. “You have rendered me a great service, and I’ll never forget it. Now, let’s leave here at once. I have passed a most miserable night in this locker, and I want to get out of sight of it as soon as I can. I will explain everything presently.”
Featherweight knew from his companion’s manner that he had some exciting revelation to make. Wondering what it could be, and impatient to hear it, he picked up his lantern and started back through the passage-way, closely followed by Chase, who kept looking back over his shoulder, as if he were afraid that there might be some one pursuing him. When they reached the ladder, and Featherweight was about to ascend to the deck, Chase caught him by his sleeve and held him back. “Be very careful,” said he, in a suppressed whisper, “there may be some of them still on board, and if they see us we are done for.”
“They? Who?”