CHAPTER XII.
For some time Mr.Wilks stood gazing at this unexpected apparition and trying to collect his scattered senses.

Its face was pale and flabby, while its glassy eyes, set in rims of red eyelids, were beginning to express unmistakable signs of suspicion and wrath.

The shock was so sudden that the steward could not even think coherently.

Was the captain upstairs?
And if so, what was his condition?
Where was Nathan Smith?
And where was the five pounds?
A voice, a husky and discordant voice, broke in upon his meditations; Jack Nugent was also curious.
"What does all this mean ?" he demanded, angrily.

"How did I get here ?" "You--you came downstairs," stammered Mr.Wilks, still racking his brains in the vain effort to discover how matters stood.
Mr.Nugent was about to speak, but, thinking better of it, turned and blundered into the kitchen.