entirely. Pretty
enough to be useful too, I imagine, if she can ever be brought to view
this affair from the right angle. Could n't you be induced to attempt
a little, missionary work? Love-making at sea is said to be especially
pleasant."

I shook my head, gazing directly into his eyes, barely able to keep
from throttling him.

"Drop it," I said sternly. "The girl is to be left alone if I have any
part in your scheme. Now I want to know what is expected of me; may I
ask questions?"

He lit another cigarette, calmly indifferent to all outward appearance.

"Certainly--fire away."

"Where are we bound?"

"Spanish Honduras," lazily, but spreading out a map, and tapping it
with his finger. "Perto Cortez, if we can make that port safely; if
not then somewhere along the coast between there and Trupillo. There
will be signals."

I leaned forward, startled out of my self-restraint. "Honduras! Good
Lord! what are you--a filibuster?"

"Hardly," with a short laugh. "That is too dangerous a job, and not
money enough in it. I prefer to do my revoluting through others, and
cop the swag. That is the safe end of the game. It happens to be
Honduras just now; I have been equally interested in other downtrodden
countries. In truth, friend, I am a patriot for revenue only."

"You mean you furnish arms?"

"For a suitable consideration--yes. In strict confidence I will state
that securely packed away in the hold of the _Sea Gull_--largely in
boxes labeled machinery--are twenty thousand rifles, six rapid-fire
guns, and a sufficiency of ammunition for a small army. Once safely
landed the profits of the voyage will total one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, gold. A rather tidy sum, hey?"

I grasped the idea swiftly enough, and it cleared up some of the shadow
of mystery. But the situation was rendered no more pleasant for us.

"Then you are not sailing for New Orleans?"

"Not until my hold is empty. We cleared from there, light, three weeks
ago."

"You mean to retain the lady on board?"

"Unless she prefers to jump overboard."

"And what have I to do with all this? You said you had use for
me--what use?"

CHAPTER XXIV

I JOIN THE SEA GULL

I can see the fellow still, as he sat there smiling, his teeth revealed
under his mustache, his eyes filled with cunning.

"You! why you chance to be the very sort of man I need. The devil
could not have sent me a better," he said, with some enthusiasm