Part 7 (1/2)

”But it is mine also. Do you decline to show your papers? You are trifling with me,” said Mr. Birdwing impatiently.

At this moment there was a scuffle in the waist of the steamer, which attracted the attention of all on the deck. Mr. Gilfleur had suddenly thrown himself on the first officer of the Ionian; and when his second officer and several sailors had gone to his a.s.sistance, the third lieutenant of the Chateaugay had rushed in to the support of the Frenchman. The man-of-war's men were all armed with cutla.s.ses and revolvers; but they did not use their weapons, and it looked like a rough-and-tumble fight on the deck.

Mr. Birdwing and Christy rushed over to the starboard side of the steamer; but Mr. Carlin and his men had so effectively sustained the detective that the affray had reached a conclusion before they could interfere. Mr. Gilfleur was crawling out from under two or three men who had thrown themselves upon him when he brought the first officer to the deck by jumping suddenly upon him. The Frenchman had in his hand a tin case about a foot in length, and three inches in diameter, such as are sometimes used to contain charters, or similar valuable papers.

The contest had plainly been for the possession of this case, which the quick eye of the detective had discovered as the mate was carrying it forward; for Mr. Carlin had sent two of his men to the stern at the request of the Frenchman, charged to allow no one to throw anything overboard. The first officer of the Ionian had listened to the conversation between Captain Sawlock and the first lieutenant, and had gone below into the cabin when it began to be a little stormy.

”What does all this mean, Mr. Carlin?” inquired Mr. Birdwing.

”I simply obeyed my orders to support Mr. Gilfleur; and he can explain his action better than I can,” replied the third lieutenant.

”I have requested the officers, through Captain Chantor, to see that nothing was thrown overboard, either before or after we boarded the steamer,” interposed Christy.

”And the captain's order has been obeyed,” added the first lieutenant.

”Will you explain the cause of this affray, Mr. Gilfleur?”

”With the greatest pleasure,” answered the detective with one of his politest bows. ”While you were talking with the captain of the Ionian, I saw the first officer of this steamer go into the cabin. I was told by a sailor that he was the mate. In a minute or two he came on deck again, and I saw that he had something under his coat. He moved forward, and was going to the side when I jumped upon him. After a struggle I took this tin case from him.”

The detective stepped forward, and handed the tin case to the executive officer as gracefully as though he had been figuring in a ballroom.

Captain Sawlock had followed the officers over from the port side. He appeared to be confounded, and listened in silence to the explanation of Mr. Gilfleur. But he looked decidedly ugly.

”That case is my personal, private property,” said he, as soon as it was in the hands of the chief officer of the boarding-party.

”I don't dispute it, Captain Sawlock; but at the same time I intend to examine its contents,” replied Mr. Birdwing mildly, but firmly.

”This is an outrage, Mr. Officer!” exclaimed the discomfited master.

”If it is, I am responsible for it,” added the executive officer, as he removed the cover from the end of the case.

”I protest against this outrage! I will not submit to it!” howled Captain Sawlock, carried away by his wrath.

”Perhaps you will,” said Mr. Birdwing quietly.

”But I will not!”

With a sudden movement he threw himself upon the officer, and attempted to wrest the tin case from his hands. Christy, who was standing behind him, seized him by the collar with both hands, and hurled him to the deck. A moment later two seamen, by order of Mr. Carlin, took him each by his two arms, and held him like a vice.

”I think we will retire to the cabin to examine these papers, for I see that the case is filled with doc.u.ments, including some sealed letters,”

continued Mr. Birdwing, as he moved towards the cabin door.

”That cabin is mine! You can't go into it!” howled Captain Sawlock, crazy with anger. ”Don't let them go into the cabin, Withers!”

Withers appeared to be the mate, and he stepped forward as though he intended to do something; but a couple of seamen, by order of the first lieutenant, arrested and held him. He had apparently had enough of it in his encounter with the detective, for he submitted without any resistance. If the captain of the steamer was a fool, the mate was not, for he saw the folly of resisting a United States force.

”Mr. Carlin, you will remain on deck with the men; Mr. Pa.s.sford and Mr.

Gilfleur, may I trouble you to come into the cabin with me?” continued Mr. Birdwing, as he led the way.