Strona 249 z 416

Code had no doubt whatever that the whole plan, commencing with

the disappearance of the man in the motor-dory and ending with

his abduction from St. Pierre, was part and parcel of the same

scheme. In this, his crowning achievement of skill and cunning,

Burns had showed himself an admirable plotter, playing upon human

nature as he did to effect his ends.

For it was nothing but a realization of Peter Ellinwood's

weakness in the matter of his size and fighting ability that

resulted in his (Code's) easy capture. Schofield had no shadow of

a doubt but that the big Frenchman had been hired to play his

part, and that, in the howling throng that surrounded the

fighters the crew of the _Nettie B._ were waiting to seize the

first opportunity to make the duel a melee and effect their

design in the confusion.