"
"Most certainly I can," said I indignantly. "The ship's boys can
bear witness to that."
Mackenzie laughed, and shook his head at his reflection in the
polished mahogany.
"That was ver clever," said he, "and like enough it would ha'
served ye had I not stepped aboard. But I've just had a look at
they ventilators, and I think I know how ye worrked it. Anyway,
captain, it makes no matter. I'll just be clappin' the derbies
on these young sparks, an' then--"
"By what right?" roared Raffles, in a ringing voice, and I never
saw his face in such a blaze. "Search us if you like; search
every scrap and stitch we possess; but you dare to lay a finger
on us without a warrant!"
"I wouldna' dare," said Mackenzie, as he fumbled in his breast
pocket, and Raffles dived his hand into his own. "Haud his
wrist!" shouted the Scotchman; and the huge Colt that had been
with us many a night, but had never been fired in my hearing,
clattered on the table and was raked in by the captain.
"All right," said Raffles savagely to the mate. "You can let go
now. I won't try it again. Now, Mackenzie, let's see your
warrant!"
"Ye'll no mishandle it?"
"What good would that do me? Let me see it," said Raffles,
peremptorily, and the detective obeyed. Raffles raised his
eyebrows as he perused the document; his mouth hardened, but
suddenly relaxed; and it was with a smile and a shrug that he
returned the paper.
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