Surely no better opportunity than this could be given.
I stole back, silent and unobserved, listened an instant to Broussard's steady breathing, then unlocked the Captain's door, and entered his cabin.

His wicked eyes, blazing with hate, glared at me as I approached, and, inspired by some sudden feeling of sympathy, I bent over, and removed the gag from his mouth.

The result was an outburst of profanity, bristling with threats, but these as instantly ceased as I picked up the cloth again.
"It's just as you please," I said soberly.

"Either lie quiet, or have this back--it's up to you." "Do you mean to kill me ?" "Not unless I have to, but I hold some things more valuable than your life.

Just at present I mean to look over your papers." He must have realized I was beyond playing with, and impervious to threats, for he lay quiet, but with glaring eyes following my every movement, as I threw open the drawers of the desk, and began handling their contents.