severely.

"Oh, the war'll probably be over by the time you reach New York, and
you'll cease to be interesting," replied Marchmont. "Besides, we'll have
had our scoop, and most likely, when the _Daily Leader_ finds there's no
case against you they'll give you a return ticket. The management's
generally pretty liberal."

"Well, I must say," spluttered the Bishop, "that of all the
brazen--unconscionable--!"

"Why did you raise the Spanish flag?" interrupted Miss Arminster.

"That was my idea," said the journalist, "and I'm rather proud of it.
You see, we could hardly reverse the Union Jack as a sign of distress,
and then go full speed ahead, but I don't think an American ship would
resist taking a Spanish prize; and as soon as they get within firing
range we'll run up a flag of truce. By the way," he continued, becoming
quite courteous, now that he felt he had them in his power, "why do you
remain in this stuffy cabin? I shall be very glad to have you up on
deck, provided you'll give me your parole."

"What, not to escape?" asked Violet. "Did you think we were going to
jump overboard and swim ashore?"

"No. I mean that you should give your parole not to be anything but
Spaniards."

"I am afraid we couldn't manage that," she replied. "The Bishop doesn't
look nearly ferocious enough."

"I absolutely refuse to become a party to this deception!" said his
Lordship.

"Oh, I don't ask you to do that," returned Marchmont, "only to promise
that you'll not try and enlist the sympathies of the crew in your
behalf."

"I shall not promise anything," said the Bishop, "nor shall I allow this
lady to do so. I'm a man of peace, but if ever I get hold of you on dry
land I'll horsewhip you, if it costs me my see; and if you don't leave
this cabin at once I'll treat you as you treated your friend. You are a
thorough blackguard, and not fit to associate with gentlemen!"

The journalist started to say something, but, remembering that his
accuser was muscular, thought better of it, shrugged his shoulders, and
went out silently, locking the door behind him.

"There!" said his Lordship, "I can breathe more freely now."

Miss Arminster made no reply, for the excellent reason that her head was
out of a port-hole, and she could not hear clearly what was said.
Presently she pulled it in again, crying, as she did so:

"Oh, do look! This is great sport! The American ship is running away
from us!"

Such was indeed the case. The vesse