“Are you sure, sir?” he cried. “This is a strange place for a robbery.”
Guy turned on him hotly.
“A robbery has been committed, nevertheless, and the articles stolen are despatches for the governor of Zaila. They were intrusted to me for delivery, and I look to you to recover them.”
“Ah! Government despatches, were they?” said the captain. “Just step below and we’ll look into the matter.”
They turned toward the cabin, leaving the Portuguese still gazing over the rail.
At the foot of the steps the captain stopped.
“Why, what’s this?” he said, stooping down and pulling from under the lowest step a bunch of papers.
“The stolen despatches!” cried Guy wildly. “But look! The seals have been broken.”
Together they inspected the documents. Each envelope had been opened, but the contents appeared to be all right. The thief had plainly been satisfied with their perusal.
“Whoever stole them,” said the captain, “was afraid to retain them lest a search should be made, and as he had no way to destroy them he tossed them down here where they could easily be found.”