's your idea?"

"My idea?"

"I meant to be that flattering, yes. What do you think we'll be up
against when ordering the _Orchid_ to surrender?"

"I do not know; but something we are not expecting, you may be sure," he
dolefully answered.

"That sort of gloom won't get us anywhere," Tommy retorted. "Try another
thought!"

"It gets us very far! If we expect to experience what we are not
expecting, then we are expecting it! How can we be surprised when we are
prepared for the thing we are not prepared for? It is obvious. That is
my idea."

"Then you ought to keep it in a less fragile place. Try still another,
gezabo!"

But he was inclined to pout now, and would neither talk nor listen to
our entreaties.

"Well," he exclaimed at last, with a superior smile as he struck the
table smartly, "I will tell you this: I have nothing more to say!"

It was a lot of preparation for a mighty small result, I thought, and
Tommy smiled at the childish gentleman, murmuring sweetly:

"If you really mean that, and stick to it, pray accept my
congratulations upon having reached the height of conversational charm.
Now, Jack, let's plan!"

But Monsieur, while unwilling to talk, was also unwilling to be
ignored. I think he wanted to be coaxed. People get that way, sometimes.
So he petulantly exclaimed:

"You think I am what you call an old crank!"

"No I don't, honest!" Tommy gave me a wink. "Even if I did, it's a
compliment in America to be called a crank, because cranks make things
move. Now help us out, like a good sport. By this time tomorrow you'll
be shot to pieces, for all we know."

He said it solemnly, but his humorous mouth showed how much he wanted to
laugh. I believe Tommy would have walked to the gallows joking with his
executioner. That infectious smile, sometimes the flash of his teeth,
but always a snap in his honest gray eyes, were invariably quickened by
the imminence of danger. I knew Tommy; therefore I also knew that
beneath his jocose raillery were nerves stretched to concert pitch that
meant music for whoever stood in his way tomorrow.

The professor sat up straighter and blinked at him.

"Why do you say I get shot to pieces?"

"Why not? The fellow'd be a fool to sit by and let us go aboard--and
we've got to go aboard!"

"It is nonsense! You want my advice? Then leave him alone!"

I think that Tommy's eyes narrowed slightly. I know that my teeth
clenched at this evidence of quitting; yet what coul