ce they had him safe aboard their
galleys. I ha' done some trading with them, bartering human freights for
spices and eastern carpets and the like."

Master Lionel breathed hard. "'Tis a horrible fate, is't not?"

The captain stroked his beard. "Yet 'tis the only really safe bestowal,
and when all is said 'tis not so horrible as hanging, and certainly less
dishonouring to a man's kin. Ye'ld be serving Sir Oliver and yourself."

"'Tis so, tis so," cried Master Lionel almost fiercely. "And the price?"

The seaman shifted on his short, sturdy legs, and his face grew pensive.
"A hundred pound?" he suggested tentatively.

"Done with you for a hundred pounds," was the prompt answer--so prompt
that Captain Leigh realized he had driven a fool's bargain which it was
incumbent upon him to amend.

"That is, a hundred pound for myself," he corrected slowly. "Then there
be the crew to reckon for--to keep their counsel and lend a hand; 'twill
mean another hundred at the least."

Master Lionel considered a moment. "It is more than I can lay my hands
on at short notice. But, look you, you shall have a hundred and fifty
pounds in coin and the balance in jewels. You shall not be the loser in
that, I promise you. And when you come again, and bring me word that all
is done as you now undertake there shall be the like again."

Upon that the bargain was settled. And when Lionel came to talk of ways
and means he found that he had allied himself to a man who understood
his business thoroughly. All the assistance that the skipper asked was
that Master Lionel should lure his gentleman to some concerted spot
conveniently near the waterside. There Leigh would have a boat and his
men in readiness, and the rest might very safely be left to him.

In a flash Lionel bethought him of the proper place for this. He swung
round, and pointed across the water to Trefusis Point and the grey pile
of Godolphin Court all bathed in sunshine now.

"Yonder, at Trefusis Point in the shadow of Godolphin Court at eight
to-morrow night, when there will be no moon. I'll see that he is there.
But on your life do not miss him."

"Trust me," said Master Leigh. "And the money?"

"When you have him safely aboard come to me at Penarrow," he replied,
which showed that after all he did not trust Master Leigh any further
than he was compelled.

The captain was quite satisfied. For should his gentleman fail to
disburse he could always return Sir Oliver to shore.