"I've not burnt it," he said, sharply. "Where's that Joseph? He
must know something about it!"
He moved to the foot of the staircase, but Miss Drewitt laid a detaining
hand on his arm.
"Joseph was in the room when you said that you had burnt it," she
exclaimed. "You can't contradict yourself like that before him.
Besides, I'm sure he has had nothing to do with it."
"Somebody's got it," grumbled her uncle, pausing.
He dropped into his chair and looked at her in consternation. "Good
heavens! Suppose they go after it," he said, in a choking voice.
"Well, it won't be your fault," said Prudence. "You haven't broken your
word intentionally."
But the captain paid no heed. He was staring wild-eyed into vacancy and
rumpling his grey hair until it stood at all angles. His face reflected
varying emotions.
"Somebody has got it," he said again.
"Whoever it is will get no good by it," said Miss Drewitt, who had had a
pious upbringing.
"And if they've got the map they'll go after the island," said the
captain, pursuing his train of thought.
"Perhaps they won't find it after all," said Prudence.
"Perhaps they won't," said the captain, gruffly.
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