``And also, sir, two articles which were considered souvenirs now must be regarded in another light entirely. An African knife and battle-ax are at this moment being sharpened by McKinley and Green. McKinley was overheard to say that he would like to get the knife into Spencer's possession and that'' --

``Where did you gather all this information, Heiser? Who reported to you the disappearance of handspikes and heavers and who'' --

He was interrupted by a crash from the deck and sprang toward the ladder, with Gansevoort and Heiser behind him. A glance revealed that the main topgallant mast had been carried away. The aimless milling about of what had been a well trained, well organized crew struck Alexander with horror. He bellowed orders and watched the alert response of some of his men and watched, too, the way a dozen or more turned their heads questioningly toward the shackled figure as though for further instruction.

Adrien Deslonde hastened to Alexander's side. ``Small violently jerked the weather royal brace with full intention to carry away the mast. I saw him myself and it was done after consultation with Cromwell. I swear it, sir.''

And it was clear that Adrien was not mistaken, for both Small and Cromwell took no step toward aiding in the sending up of the new topgallant mast till Philip Spencer had given the signal to obey. Then, with disappointment evident upon their faces, they moved to the work. Alexander guessed that they had planned confusion and turmoil, thinking it the ideal climate in which to begin battle and bloodshed. Their strategy was sound enough and, he reasoned, had been defeated only by Philip Spencer's unwillingness to sanction an idea he had not originated.