out again, for, if we did, it would be the end of us all; so we should
have to both imprison and murder him in the end, which would be much worse
than to put him out of the way at once, let alone the risk attending the
plan you suggest."

"Right."

"You see, then, we will have some one on whom to lay the theft?"

"Exactly! Huzza for Lieutenant Duffel!"

"Silence!"

"I beg pardon."

"Remember the time, next Thursday night, and don't fail to be at the 'dark
passage' in time."

"We'll be there, don't fear; and the thing shall be done up handsomely."

"But what's to be done with the feller's body when he's dead, I'd like to
know?" interposed Dick.

"Sure enough," replied Duffel; "I had forgotten to instruct you on that
point. Take him to the sink in that black swamp, and be sure to make him
_stay under_. We want no tell-tale carcasses showing themselves."

"You need have no fears on that point; once there and he'll never see the
light again, nor the light him."