ou that I have seen some funny scenes on board her now and again, and
Moreas has figured conspicuously in more than one of them."

As it transpired, the captain's warning reached Max just in time.
Another day and it might have been too late. The incident I am about to
relate took place on a warm morning. They were nearing the Equator, and
Max was stretched on the poop skylight, reading, when Moreas made his
appearance. The latter offered him an excellent cigar, and after they
had been smoking for a time proposed a game of ecarte. Max, who, I
regret to say, was an inveterate gambler, immediately assented, not,
however, without thinking of the captain's warning. His companion
immediately produced a pack of cards. The steward, on being appealed to,
brought a small folding table from below, whereupon the game commenced.
For some time they played with varying success, then Max, contrary to
custom, began to win. They doubled the stakes and played again. Once
more Max won. They played another hand, still with the same result. An
ominous look flashed into Moreas' eyes, but it was gone again as
quickly.

"I am glad to see that your luck has turned at last, Senor," he said,
with a suspicion of a sneer about his lips.

"Fortune must smile some time or other," retorted Max coolly. "It would
be hard indeed if I were always to have the same luck that I've had of
late. It is your deal, I fancy."

Moreas accordingly dealt, and they played the next hand. Suddenly Max
laid down his cards, back uppermost, and leant across the table.

"Forgive me, Senor," he said, "but I feel sure there is some little
mistake. We have played two rounds, and I see that you still have four
cards in your hand."

The remainder of the pack was lying at the Spaniard's elbow, and Max
noticed a suspicious movement of the other's sleeve a few seconds
before. Had he not spoken when he did, the other would have rid himself
of one of his cards without delay.

"Carambo! so I have," he said, with a well-simulated astonishment. "I
must offer you ten thousand apologies, Senor, for having unwittingly
made such a mistake. I do not know how it occurred."

As he said this he fixed his beady eyes upon Max's face, as though to
give him warning that if he had anything to say on the subject it had
better be of a conciliatory nature.

"I feel sure of that," Max answered good-humouredly, for he had not the
least intention of quarrelling with him. He only wanted to let the