 On waking, Box discovers that he has been framed for murdering Sal during a lover's quarrel.Percy Flarge informs him that the Royal Academy has ordered that Box is to be given no assistance by their organisation and that Box is to be charged (and presumably executed) for the murder of Sal Volatile.With the assistance of Rex, a gay bellhop who Box initiated during the early chapters, Box boards the "Stiffkey", an old tramp freighter commanded by Captain Corpusty, who proves to be a fan of Box's paintings and commissions a portrait by Box on the journey to England.