At the same time I urged every consideration that might exculpate him, dwelling in particular upon the point that if the lot had fallen to Dirk Peters, he would have been the victim of the others' hunger.
"Dirk Peters confided this secret to you only ?" inquired Captain Len Guy.
"To me only, captain." "And you have kept it ?" "Absolutely." "Then I cannot understand how it came to the knowledge of Hearne." "At first," I replied, "I thought Hearne might have talked in his sleep, and that it was by chance Martin Holt learned the secret.
After reflection, however, I recalled to mind that when the half-breed related the scene on the _Grampus_ to me, he was in my cabin, and the side sash was raised.

I have reason to think that the man at the wheel overheard our conversation.

Now that man was Hearne, who, in order to hear it more clearly, let go the wheel, so that the _Halbrane_ lurched--" "I remember," said West.

"I questioned the fellow sharply, and sent him clown into the hold." "Well, then, captain," I resumed, "it was from that day that Hearne made up to Martin Holt.

Hurliguerly called my attention to the fact." "Of course he did," said the boatswain, "for Hearne, not being capable of managing the boat which he intended to seize, required a master-hand like Holt." "And so," I said, "he kept on urging Holt to question the half-breed concerning his brother's fate, and you know how Holt came at last to learn the fearful truth.