g's mind: that these two were indeed well
matched in their enormous dissimilarity, identical souls in different
disguises.

"Says he to me"--Ricardo started again in a gossiping manner--'I'm
packed up. It's about time to go, Martin.'

"It was the first time he called me Martin. Says I:

"'Is that it, sir?'

"'You didn't think I was after that sort of treasure, did you? I wanted
to clear out from home quietly. It's a pretty expensive way of getting a
passage across, but it has served my turn.'

"I let him know very soon that I was game for anything, from pitch and
toss to wilful murder, in his company.

"'Wilful murder?' says he in his quiet way. 'What the deuce is that?
What are you talking about? People do get killed sometimes when they get
in one's way, but that's self-defence--you understand?'

"I told him I did. And then I said I would run below for a minute, to
ram a few of my things into a sailor's bag I had. I've never cared for
a lot of dunnage; I believed in going about flying light when I was at
sea. I came back and found him strolling up and down the deck, as if
he were taking a breath of fresh air before turning in, like any other
evening.

"'Ready?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"He didn't even look at me. We had had a boat in the water astern ever
since we came to anchor in the afternoon. He throws the stump of his
cigar overboard.

"'Can you get the captain out on deck?' he asks.

"That was the last thing in the world I should have thought of doing. I
lost my tongue for a moment.

"'I can try,' says I.

"'Well, then, I am going below. You get him up and keep him with you
till I come back on deck. Mind! Don't let him go below till I return.'

"I could not help asking why he told me to rouse a sleeping man, when
we wanted everybody on board to sleep sweetly till we got clear of the
schooner. He laughs a little and says that I didn't see all the bearings
of this business.

"'Mind,' he says, 'don't let him leave you till you see me come up
again.' He puts his eyes close to mine. 'Keep him with you at all
costs.'

"'And that means?' says I.

"'All costs to him--by every possible or impossible means. I don't want
to be interrupted in my business down below. He would give me lots
of trouble. I take you with me to save myself trouble in various
circumstances; and you've got to enter on your work right away.'

"'Just so, sir,' says I; and he slips down the companion.

"With a gentleman you know at onc