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62 death-ship, yet going along at full speed, with the engines alone seemingly alive.

The captain led the way in deep silence, nor did he speak until he had reached one of the state cabins, the door of which stood open, and into which he entered, the others following softly.

"You had better keep together, and rest here until I find out what is going on aboard," he said.

"Let me accompany you, captain," said Philip.

"Very well. Mr Butcher, come with us, while Mr Cox mounts guard here."

An intense weariness and utter lassitude had now fallen upon the passengers, so that with one accord they laid themselves anywhere—on the couches and the floor. They could not see each other, but that was no matter, since they were so close that they could feel the contact of their bodies, and that was, to an extent, some consolation in their misery.

Adela closed her eyes as Philip left her, and almost immediately lost all consciousness of her peril and surroundings; the others also began to breathe regularly around her.

"Gentlemen," said the captain, when the three had reached the companion steps, "remember that for the present we must control ourselves, and only watch. We must not be discovered. You will obey me in all things."

"Yes, we will obey you, sir."

"Good. Now follow me, and with great care."

It was now about the darkest hour of the night, that hour before the grey of dawn steals up from the east and dims the stars. As yet they were lustrous and bright in all their Oriental splendour, with the spaces between like ebony.