Mathias paused, and looked at Thornton narrowly.

“You haven’t been able, in all these weeks, to get the smallest hint from them with regard to the death of Captain Vandervoort either?”

“None.”

“Well, is it your impression that they do truly know nothing, or that they have been terrorised into hiding something?”

Thornton gave a gentle sigh, almost of relief.

“No,” he said, “I don’t think they have been terrorised. But I do think they may know something they won’t tell.”

“But why?”

“Because, during the time they were on the schooner, it is plain they got very fond of this man Jonsen, and of his lieutenant, the man called Otto.”