"They're making a pretty strict search," whispered Vyse.
"'Ssh!" cautioned his companion. "There's some one in the cabin. It's Pengelly, by Jove!"
"All in small packages... easily got ashore ... he told you to do that? Look here, Silas, you'd better not... the cave behind your kitchen... we'll arrange all that later... part brass rags within a fortnight... it'll pay you far better... then that's a deal?"
The Sub broke out in a gentle perspiration. From the scraps of conversation he had overheard, there could be but one explanation forthcoming. Pengelly and the master of the lugger were plotting —against whom? Captain Cain, without a doubt. That was interesting. But the disconcerting part was: what was the skipper of the Fairy's attitude towards the two men hiding in the bilge? Would it pay him better to give them up, or to keep faith with them and so gain the promised hundred pounds?
"Mr. Pengelly!" shouted a voice, which Broadmayne recognised as that of Captain Cain.
"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the second in command.
The fugitives heard the sound of Pengelly's boots upon the ladder leading on deck. The Fairy's skipper followed.
"The old sinner," whispered Vyse. "I thought he was going to betray us."
"I don't think so," replied the Sub. "The promise of a hundred pounds is our sheet-anchor. By Jove! I can see some interesting developments before very long."
"What developments?" inquired the other in a low tone.