, and should have
fallen, if Nunez had not seized my arm and supported me. He helped me to
a seat, and handed me a glass containing a restorative.

"You are not well," he said. "But you will come round presently."

"Senor!" I cried, "what is the meaning of this? Why am I on this ship,
and why are we at sea? How is it that I am not at Scarborough? There has
been some treachery--some foul play!"

"Nay," said he, "be moderate, I entreat you, Senor. Do not let there be
any talk of treachery. Am I not serving you as a friend?"

"I do not comprehend anything of what you say," I answered. "There is
some mystery here. Again I ask you--why am I on board your ship and at
sea?"

"And I ask you, Senor, where else did you expect to be but on board my
ship and at sea?"

I stared at the man in amaze and wonder. He returned my gaze
unflinchingly, but I felt certain that in his eyes there was a cruel
mockery of me, and my blood seemed to turn cold within me as I
recognized that I was in the Spaniard's power. But, being now in a
desperate mood, I strove to be cool and to keep my wits about me.

"I expected to be at Scarborough, Senor," I said. "Where else? I
remember coming aboard your vessel and eating and drinking with you,
but after that I must have fallen asleep. I wake and find myself at
sea."

"Naturally you do," said he with a smile. "Allow me, Master Salkeld, to
recall to you certain incidents which took place last night. You came on
board my ship with your cousin, Master Stapleton, and I offered you my
poor hospitality. Was that all that took place?"

"It was," said I, confidently enough.

"That is strange," said he, giving me another of his queer looks. "I
fear you have undergone some strange mental change in your long sleep.
But as I perceive that you do not understand me, I will explain matters
to you. Last night, Master Salkeld, as you and your cousin sat at meat
with me, you explained to me that you had committed some great crime
against the laws of your country, and that it was necessary, if you
would save your head, to leave England at once. I remarked that I was
about to set sail for the West Indies, and should be pleased to take
you as my passenger, whereupon you and your cousin having consulted
together, you paid me the passage-money--and here we are."

The man told me all this with the utmost assurance, his face utterly
unmoved and his strange eyes inscrutable. It was a lie from beginning to
end, and I k