lf in an
occupation which I found tolerably lucrative, seeing that all the
transactions were for ready money, though it must be owned that it was
somewhat hazardous. Some people might call it piracy. It was not till
long afterwards, when I was paying a visit to Cadiz, that I learned that
Pedro Alvarez was himself an outlaw, that he had not returned to Cadiz,
and that neither he nor his ship had ever again been heard of.

"From the words which reached my ears while you were talking to that
wily priest, I have an idea that you are no other than the son of Don
Hernan and the lady of that northern castle. By whatever means you got
back there, my evidence will be of value to prove that you are the child
I carried off. I have no doubt about it; I would swear to the fact.
Let us be friends, then. You assist to preserve my life; I will help
you to obtain your rights as the Marquis de Medea, and to become the
master of the immense estates belonging to the family."

The old villain looked up into the young officer's face, expecting a
favourable reply. Ronald was almost inclined to laugh at his outrageous
audacity and cunning. "You are entirely mistaken as to whom I am," he
answered. "The child you carried off from Lunnasting was never brought
back. I cannot even tell you if he is still alive; but whether or not,
I have no power to make any bargain with you. You must abide by the
consequences of your misdeeds."

"I have always done that," answered the pirate, with an humble look.
"From my youth up till now I have been an unfortunate man. I hope some
day the tide will turn; but there is not much time left for that."

Ronald made no reply. He resolved to tell the captain all he had heard;
and on going aft he left directions that the old prisoner should be
strictly watched, and not allowed to communicate with any one.

As Ronald could not speak to Lord Claymore in the cabin lest he should
be overheard, he waited till he came on deck.

"A pretty set of scoundrels!" was Lord Claymore's remark. "That cunning
priest, too, depend on it, has a finger in the pie. A curious
coincidence there is, too, in your own history, and in that of the story
you have just told me. You want to find out to what family you belong,
and here is a title, estates, and fortune, waiting to be filled by the
rightful heir, if he can be found."

Though the captain entertained a considerable amount of contempt for the
marquis, for the sake of hi