'What aba't Dave?' Friar asked.
'He goes on the Arisaig too.'
'An' good riddance, that's wot I says.' Friar suddenly looked up. 'Blimey, there's that load o' stuff for the Arisaig coming in today or tomorrow. What aba't that?'
'It's not coming. Any more questions? All right then — Get that cargo stowed.'
'Okay.' Friar got slowly to his feet. 'But I don't like it — I tell yer straight I don't,' he grumbled. Then he suddenly asked, 'Wot 'appened to the rest of the Isle o' Mull's crew — Mason, Fergis and Pentlin?'
'You don't need to worry about them,' Manack said. 'They were all on board the Isle of Mull when she blew up.'
Friar scowled. 'Did yer 'ave ter kill the 'ole bleedin' lot?'
Manack glared at him.
'Come on, Slim — we'll get that cargo stowed,' Friar said hurriedly.
They went out, leaving me alone with Manack. He was pacing up and down. I sat there trying to make up my mind what to do. Every instinct told me to get out of the place. The sooner I was away from Cripples' Ease the safer I'd be. But something stronger tugged at me — the bars on that window, the name James Nearne over the door, the letter in my pocket.