"What's going on out there, Dory?" called Peppers, who could not help hearing the noise of the scuffle.
"Nothing particular going on just now: it is all over," said Pearl, as he resumed his place at the helm, though not till he had gathered up the truant sheet.
"Why don't you unlock the door, Dory?" continued the officer.
"I can't," answered Dory, whose tongue was not tied, if his arms were. "Pearl Hawlinshed has taken the key away from me, and tied my hands behind me."
"Are you there, Hawlinshed?" asked Peppers.
"Of course I am here. Ask Dory Dornwood if I am not," replied the skipper, chuckling at his own reply.
"What does this mean, Hawlinshed?"
"Well, it means any thing you please, Peppers. So you had passengers in the cabin, Dory; and that is the reason you didn't want to open the cabin," added Pearl.
"Open this door, and let us out, Hawlinshed, if you have the key," said the detective in a mild and good-natured tone, as though he expected the villain to do it.
"No: I think I won't," replied Pearl. "I am afraid you wouldn't behave yourself as well out here as you do in the cabin."