“Those two empty chests in the lazaret are the chests our bags of dust were stowed in. Jim and I, and Caspar stowed ’em there ourselves. Ther’ wasn’t a soul else wise to them. No. That was our play. We couldn’t afford to take chances with a crew of Chinks. I wonder. But the motor launches are gone. Both of ’em. They cost me a pile in Perth. They were sea-going craft for Jim and Caspar to use in making their trade. You see, they could be run without any of the crew. We meant leaving those darn toughs without a guess.”
“I see.” McLagan’s eyes were full of thought as they watched the slowly passing cloud. “You had two launches? I’d wondered. You see the lifeboats had been left intact. I didn’t guess there was a second.”
“You located one?”
Len’s question came alertly.
“Yes. Where were they stowed?”
“On the poop-deck. They were kept aft for convenience and safety.”
“I see.”
Len stirred and sat up.
“Tell me, Mac. You reckon sure Caspar murdered Jim?”
“Sure.”