He felt that he was in danger of being discovered in his hiding-place; but he instantly made up his mind as to what he would do in the event of such an accident.

He had hoped to be spared from any personal conflict with his cousin, and he had made his plan so as to avoid any such disagreeable necessity.
But if Corny carried his investigations too far for his safety, and especially for the success of his enterprise, he decided that the ties of blood should not prevent him from doing his whole duty as he understood it.

He was therefore prepared to muzzle the intruder, and confine his hands behind him with a strap he had taken from his valise.
Happily Corny did nothing more than look under the berth while still standing in the space in front of it, and in this position he could not see the fugitive.

The impostor wandered about the cabin for a time, and then Christy heard his footsteps on the stairs as he ascended to the deck.
He had hardly left the cabin before the steward entered the stateroom, and reported that he had seen Ralph Pennant, and that he had told him all he knew about the loyalty and the disloyalty of the new hands in the crew.

Ralph reported that he had "spotted" the four seamen whose names had been given him before the Vernon reached the station.
"What does he say in regard to me ?" asked Christy.
"He said he believed you were bony fido commander of the Bronx, and he is ready to obey your orders.