CHAPTER XII.
THE STORM.
I was greatly alarmed at Captain Hannock's order to Lowell to investigate the cause of the crash in the pantry. If discovered I knew my punishment would be severe. These three men were playing a desperate game, and there was no telling what they would do if cornered.
"Oh, it was only a few dishes in the closet," said Lowell, as he helped himself to more liquor.
"It gave me quite a shock," declared Crocker, and he, too, took another drink.
These remarks relieved me somewhat. Perhaps they would not search the pantry after all. But the next words of the captain caused a chill to run down my back.
"I've lived in this cabin going on sixteen years," he said, " and I never yet knew them dishes to jump themselves down. I'm going to see what it was. If it's a spy I'll string him up, mark my words!"
I was now flat on the pantry floor, and to move
