warned him that it would be
safer to thrust his head into the lion's mouth than altogether to trust
himself to his whilom follower. But this escaped him in the darkness.

"Listen," he said quickly. "This is my plan. In the morning when
Hawxherst and Bradley do not appear, the new Governor will send more
men. They will find the house burned down. No one saw us come hither.
There will be in the ruins the remains of three bodies."

"Three?"

"Yes. My Lady Morgan's."

"Did you kill her?"

"I didn't have to. They'll think that one of them is mine. No hue or cry
will be raised and no search made for me. Do you arrange that the crew
of the _Mary Rose_ be given liberty for the evening yonder at the Blue
Anchor. They've not been ashore yet, I take it?"

"No, but they will go to-morrow."

"That's well. Meanwhile gather together the bold fellows who have
stomach for a cruise and are willing to put their heads through the
halter provided there are pieces of eight on the other side, and then
we'll take the frigate to-morrow night and away for the Spanish Main.
That will give us a start. We'll pick up what we can along the coast
first, then scuttle the ship, cross the Isthmus, seize another and have
the whole South Seas before us--Peru, Manila, wherever we will."

"The King has a long arm."

"Yes, and other kings have had long arms too, I take it, but they have
not caught Harry Morgan, nor ever shall. Come, man, wilt go with me?"

"Never fear," answered Hornigold promptly. "I've been itching for a
chance to cut somebody's throat."

He did not say it was Morgan's throat, but the truth and sincerity in
his voice carried conviction to the listening captain.

"Thou bloody butcher!" he laughed grimly. "There will be plenty of it
anon."

"Where will you lay hid," asked the boatswain, "until to-morrow night?"

"I have thought of that," said Morgan promptly. "I think the best place
will be the cabin of your pinnace. I'll just get aboard, Black Dog here
and I, and put to sea. To-morrow night at this hour we'll come back here
again and you will find us here at the wharf."

"A good plan, Master Morgan," cried Hornigold, forgetting the title as
the scheme unfolded itself to him. "What's o'clock, I wonder?"

As he spoke the sound of a bell tapped softly came floating over the
quiet water from the _Mary Rose_.

"Four bells," answered Morgan listening; "at ten of the clock, then, I
shall be here."

"Leave the rest to me, sir,