"There is not much to tell. One night this man was passing through a narrow street, quite unsuspicious of danger, when he was suddenly struck from behind by a bludgeon, and—he never came back to the ship."
"Did no suspicion attach to you?"
"How should there? Who was to betray me? Not my agent, or in so doing he would betray himself. This is the first time I have ever spoken of it, but I am safe with you."
"Perfectly. You say the consideration was small."
"Fifty dollars only. I dare say the fellow considered himself well paid. Besides he took whatever his victim had about him."
"Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Randall. I will furnish the money, if you will undertake the management of the business when we reach Rio."
"With pleasure," replied the mate, and he probably spoke the truth.
While this conversation was going on, Charlie in another part of the vessel was commiserating Bill Sturdy on his injuries.
"And it was on my account, too," said the boy, regretfully.