us all to secrecy.
None of the ladies were to be informed of it."

"It does not sound altogether plausible," interposed Portia. "If you
ladies do not object, I should like to cross-examine this--ah--gentleman."

Kidd paled visibly. He was not prepared for any such trial; however, he
put as good a face on the matter as he could, and announced his
willingness to answer any questions that he might be asked.

[Illustration: CAPTAIN KIDD CONSENTS TO BE CROSS-EXAMINED BY PORTIA]

"Shall we put him under oath?" asked Cleopatra.

"As you please, ladies," said the pirate. "A pirate's word is as good as
his bond; but I'll take an oath if you choose--a half-dozen of 'em, if
need be."

"I fancy we can get along without that," said Portia. "Now, Captain Kidd,
who first proposed this plan?"

"Socrates," said Kidd, unblushingly, with a sly glance at Xanthippe.

"What?" cried Xanthippe. "My husband propose anything that would
contribute to my pleasure or intellectual advancement? Bah! Your story is
transparently false at the outset."

"Nevertheless," said Kidd, "the scheme was proposed by Socrates. He said a
trip of that kind for Xanthippe would be very restful and health-giving."

"For me?" cried Xanthippe, sceptically.

"No, madame, for him," retorted Kidd.

"Ah--ho-ho! That's the way of it, eh?" said Xanthippe, flushing to the
roots of her hair. "Very likely. You--ah--you will excuse my doubting your
word, Captain Kidd, a moment since. I withdraw my remark, and in order to
make fullest reparation, I beg to assure these ladies that I am now
perfectly convinced that you are telling the truth. That last observation
is just like my husband, and when I get back home again, if I ever do,
well--ha, ha!--we'll have a merry time, that's all."

"And what was--ah--Bassanio's connection with this affair?" added Portia,
hesitatingly.

"He was not informed of it," said Kidd, archly. "I am not acquainted with
Bassanio, my lady, but I overheard Sir Walter enjoining upon the others
the absolute necessity of keeping the whole affair from Bassanio, because
he was afraid he would not consent to it. 'Bassanio has a most beautiful
wife, gentlemen,' said Sir Walter, 'and he wouldn't think of parting with
her under any circumstances; therefore let us keep our intentions a secret
from him.' I did not hear whom the gentleman married, madame; but the
others, Prince Hamlet, the Duke of Buckingham, and Louis the Fourteenth,
all agreed that Mrs.