What the skipper said was plausible enough.

No man would have been such a fool as to have murdered Bolton ashore, when he could have done so without suspicion on board the tramp.

Moreover, Hervey spoke with genuine regret, since he had missed the emeralds and assuredly would not have hesitated to steal them even at the cost of Bolton's life, had he known of their whereabouts.

So far he had made a good defense, and, seeing the impression produced, he strolled to the door.

There he halted.
"If you gents want to lynch me," he said leisurely, "I'll be found at the Sailor's Rest for the next week.