the
example in truthfulness by telling me whether you know of the plot of
those with whom I have had the shame of being associated."

"You will doubtless recall, Monsieur le Comte, since it was said only
a moment ago, that I promised only to believe what you might have to
say to me. I did not promise to tell you anything."

Indeed, at this point, Ensign Dave was perilously near to breaking his
word as to believing Surigny. It looked to him as if the Frenchman
were "fencing" in order to extract information.

"Well, then," exclaimed Surigny, with a gesture of disappointment, "I
will tell you that which I feel I must. Listen, then. With Gortchky,
Mender, Dalny and others, I have been engaged in a plan to cause a
British warship to be sunk in the harbor yonder, and under
circumstances such as to make it appear as the work of you Americans.
Did you know that, Monsieur?"

"Go on," urged Dave Darrin.

"At first," murmured the Count, coming closer, "I believed Gortchky's
statement that I was being engaged in secret diplomatic service. When
I learned the truth, I was deeply involved with the miserable crew.
Also, I was very much in debt, for Gortchky was ever a willing lender.

"There came a day, Monsieur, when there dawned on me the vileness of
the wicked plot in which I had become engaged. For a few hours I felt
that to destroy myself was the only way in which I could retrieve my
honor. But the lesson you had taught served me well in those hours of
need. Then the thought of you, an officer in the American Navy,
brought a new resolve into my mind. No pledges that I had ignorantly
made to such scoundrels could bind me. I was not their slave. Pledges
to do anything that could bring dishonor upon one are not binding on a
man of honor. I did not even feel a sense of debt to Gortchky, for he
had used the money with evil intentions. From the moment of these
realizations I had but one object in view. I would go on taking such
money as I needed, and with no thought of the debt; and I would serve
these monsters with such seeming fidelity that I could at last find my
way open to serving _you_ fully, Monsieur Darrin. I pause for an
instant. Do you believe all that I have just told you, my friend?"

"Yes," answered Dave. The next second he caught himself wondering if,
through that "yes," he had unintentionally lied.

CHAPTER XX

THE ALLIES CLEAR FOR ACTION

"I left Naples for this island on an east-bound liner," contin