lry. What are you but----"

"Who said we were going to fight the English Army?" said Lord
Dunseverick.

"If you think we're a pack of dirty rebels," said Ginty, "you're making
a big mistake. We're loyal men."

"But if you are not going to fight the English," said Von Edelstein,
"God in heaven, who are you going to fight?"

"Young man," said McMunn, "you're drinking beer in my ship, a thing
which is clean contrary to my principles, though I'm putting up with it;
but you're going beyond the beyonds when you sit here and take the name
of the Almighty in vain. I'll trouble you not to swear."

Von Edelstein stared at him in blank amazement Then very slowly a look
of intelligence came over his face. He turned to Lord Dunseverick.

"I think I understand," he said. "You do not quite trust me. You fear
that I may be a spy in the pay of infamous Englishmen. But you are
mistaken--entirely mistaken. I offer you proof of my good faith.
General, be so kind as to read my commission."

He drew a folded document from his pocket, and spread it out before Lord
Dunseverick.

"It is signed," he said, "as you see, by the Emperor himself. It places
my services, the services of Captain von Edelstein, of the Prussian
Guard, at the disposal of the Ulster Volunteer Force, as military
organiser."

Lord Dunseverick glanced at the document before him. He read parts of
it with close attention. He laid his finger on the signature as if to
convince himself by actual touch that it really was what it seemed to
be.

"You see," said Von Edelstein, "I am to be trusted. When you and I
are fighting side by side against the cursed English, your enemies and
ours----"

Von Edelstein was still smiling. What happened then happened in an
instant Lord Dunseverick struck the German full on the mouth with his
fist Von Edelstein's head went back. His hands clutched convulsively at
the tablecloth. Before he had recovered, Lord Dunseverick hit him again,
beat him down on the cabin sofa, and struck blow after blow at his face.

"You infernal scoundrel," he said, "do you take me for a traitor?"

"Quit it," said McMunn. "Quit it when I tell you. You cannot kill the
man with your naked fists, and you'll break the furniture."

Ginty drew a long coil of rope from a locker. He tied up Von Edelstein
and laid him, a helpless figure, on the table.

"It's my opinion," said McMunn, "that we'd better be getting out to
sea."

"I'm thinking the same," said Ginty.