Trents' bungalow, under the guidance of the two Tao Tao men, and then Isa turned to his most delicate task. None knew better than he that the blacks employed by the planter could be relied on to turn against him, almost to a man, if Taleile, the "boss boy," could first be got out of the way. Therefore he had a knife clutched in his hand as he crept toward the sleeping hut. At the door he paused for the space of twenty seconds, listening intently. Then with infinite caution, he passed into the stifling atmosphere of the hut. The men inside were breathing heavily, and some snored. One groaned, but it was not the groan of a man asleep. Presently he ceased to make any sound, and vague mutterings floated out into the silent night. Above these noises was the voice of Isa. As soon as the blacks learnt from him how matters stood there was no need to caution them into silence, and a few moments later every man—every one, that is, except him who had groaned—filed out in a sinister procession.
Moniz had taken up his position at the head of the path leading down to the beach. From where he stood there was every opportunity, in the event of the unexpected occurring, to beat a hurried retreat to the boat on the shore. When Isa reported to him, however, that the entire black crew of Tao Tao had joined his forces he had little doubt as to the outcome of the night's work.
It was his mind that had conceived the plan of
