"No," replied Short.

"Then it must have been in the corporal's."

"The corporal never called me, nor was he 'on deck," replied Coble.
"I've a notion he never kept his watch."

The ring at the bell particularly concerned two people, the two
culprits, Smallbones and Corporal Van Spitter.

The latter made his appearance; but previous to his answering the bell,
Mr Vanslyperken had time to reflect. "So they think my dog is
supernatural," said he; "so much the better. I'll make them believe it
still more." Mr Vanslyperken called the dog, and pointed to his bed. The
dog, who was fond of a warm berth, and but seldom allowed to get on the
bed, immediately jumped up into it when invited, and Mr Vanslyperken
patted him, and covered him up with the bedclothes. He then drew the
curtains of the bed, and waited to see who would answer the bell.
Corporal Van Spitter made his appearance.

"Corporal, I came on board very late, where have you put the dog? Bring
him into the cabin."

Here the corporal, who was prepared, shook his head, smoothed down the
hair of his forehead, and made a very melancholy face.

"It was all my fault, Mynheer Vanslyperken; yet I do for the best, but
de tog be lost."

"How is that, corporal?"