Gallant Lieutenant Davon, gallant crew, may England, may the civilized nations, never forget that you have sacrificed your lives in the cause of humanity! It is evident that now, however powerful may be their means of defence, even more powerful than a network of torpedoes, Engineer Serko and Captain Spade are filled with an anxiety that they vainly essay to dissemble.

They hold frequent conferences together.

Maybe they discuss the advisability of quitting Back Cup with their wealth, for they are aware that if the existence of the cavern is known means will be found to reduce it, even if the inmates have to be starved out.
This is, of course, mere conjecture on my part.

What is essential to me is that they do not suspect me of having launched the keg that was so providentially picked up at Bermuda.

Never, I must say, has Engineer Serko ever made any allusion to any such probability.