"Listen, can't you?" said Baggin savagely. "When that happens, what are we to do? We've buried gold on the African coast; we've buried it on the South American coast----"
"All the crew know. We're at the mercy----"
"Wait, wait!" said the other wearily. "Suppose there comes a time when we must make a dash for safety--with the steam pinnace. Slipping away in the night when the men of the watch are doped. You and your daughter, and me, Poltavo, and the Admiral"--he bent his head lower--"leaving a time-fuse in the magazine," he whispered. "There's a way out for us, my friend! We are going to make one last effort," he went on. "Between here and 'Lolo' we fall in with the outward-bound, intermediate Cape mail. It shall be our last attack upon civilisation."
"Don't do it!" begged Grayson; "for the love of Heaven, don't do it, Baggin!"
He got upon his feet, pallid and staring. His hand was clapped over his heart, and his breath came in thick, stertorous gasps.
Doris appeared around the corner, walking with Count Poltavo. She came forward swiftly.
"Come, father!" she said, and led him, unresisting, away.
They ate a silent meal in the magnificently upbolstered ward-room, which had been converted into a saloon for the officers of the "Mad Battleship."
After dinner, Count Poltavo and Baggin promenaded the quarter-deck together.
"Grayson has gone below," reported the count, in answer to a question of his companion. "He got no sleep last night."
"He is a greater danger than any of the others," said Baggin.
They stood for awhile, watching the phosphorescence on the water, till Lombrosa's voice recalled them.
"Are you there?" he called quickly. They detected the agitation in his tone and turned together.
"It's Grayson," said the captain rapidly. "I found him in the wireless cabin, trying to send a message. He's half-mad."
"Where is he?" demanded the count; but, before his tongue had formed the words, the voice of the fat man came to him. He came along, the centre of a swaying body of sailors, who held him.
"For God's sake, silence him!" said the Brazilian hoarsely. "Don't you hear----?"
"Dead! you'll all be dead!" yelled Grayson. He was screaming at the top of his voice in English. "A time-fuse in your magazine! whilst they get away with the money!"