Charlie, at first taken by surprise when the charge of theft was brought against him, now looked scornfully indignant. Ignorant of the ways of the world, and the wickedness of which some men are capable, he never, for a moment, feared the result of the investigation. As for the crew, they had already become interested in his favor, and now pitied him for the unfortunate position in which he found himself placed. None of them believed him guilty.

As the captain had directed, his chest was brought on deck.

Before this was searched, however, he was subjected to a personal examination, at which nothing was discovered. There was a murmur of satisfaction.

"The lad never stole the ring," said a stout seaman, standing next to the real perpetrator of the crime, Antonio.

"Don't be too sure of that," said the Spaniard,[203] in a malignant tone. "His chest hasn't been searched yet."

"I don't care for that; I can tell by his face. A lad, with such a figure-head as that, wouldn't do anything mean or dishonorable."

"You seem to have taken a great fancy to him," sneered Antonio. "You mustn't trust too much to appearances. He looks to me as if he were guilty."

Charlie's cheeks were flushed, but not with shame or confusion. It was indignation, that he should be suspected of such a disgraceful crime.

By his side stood Bill Sturdy, who took an opportunity of whispering into his ear, "Never you mind, my lad, even if the ring is found in your chest."

"But it isn't there," said Charlie.

"It may be," said Bill, who, by this time, suspected the nature of Antonio's two errands below.

"How should it be there?" asked Charlie quite in the dark.

"It might have been put there, my lad."

[204]

"But who could put it there?" persisted our hero, but little enlightened.

"Hark you, my lad," said Bill, still farther lowering his tones; "you've got more than one enemy on board this ship."

"The mate?"

"Yes, and the captain too, for that matter."

"But neither of them would put the ring in my chest."

"No, probably not."

"Then who would?"

"There is another enemy besides these two."

"Do you mean Antonio?"

"Yes."

"But he seemed friendly lately."

"He isn't to be trusted, my lad. He's borne a grudge against both of us ever since I got the better of him the other day, and he's made up his mind to be revenged. I've been watching him when he didn't suspect it, and know more than he thinks I do."

"Do you know anything of this affair, Bill?" asked Charlie, looking up hopefully into the face of his friend.

[205]

"I expect I do."

"What is it?" questioned our hero, eagerly.

"I shall save it till it will do some good. But see, they have nearly finished searching your chest. Perhaps the ring is not there after all."

As Bill said, the search was nearly completed. Charlie's clothes had been unceremoniously tumbled out upon deck, which was not calculated to improve their appearance, and the captain and mate, who had shown themselves particularly active on the occasion, were peering about in search of the lost ring.

It chanced, however, that the ring had got in a fold of one of the shirts which lay upon deck. Of course, therefore, the search in the chest proved unavailing.

"I doubt whether it is here," said the captain, in a tone of disappointment.

............