gland where a man of
your parts would be warmly welcomed. There are many colonies besides
these English ones." Lower still came the voice until it was no more
than a whisper. Yet there was no one within earshot. "It is none so far
now to the Dutch settlement of Curacao. At this time of the year the
voyage may safely be undertaken in a light craft. And Curacao need be no
more than a stepping-stone to the great world, which would lie open to
you once you were delivered from this bondage."

Dr. Whacker ceased. He was pale and a little out of breath. But his hard
eyes continued to study his impassive companion.

"Well?" he said alter a pause. "What do you say to that?"

Yet Blood did not immediately answer. His mind was heaving in tumult,
and he was striving to calm it that he might take a proper survey of
this thing flung into it to create so monstrous a disturbance. He began
where another might have ended.

"I have no money. And for that a handsome sum would be necessary."

"Did I not say that I desired to be your friend?"

"Why?" asked Peter Blood at point-blank range.

But he never heeded the answer. Whilst Dr. Whacker was professing that
his heart bled for a brother doctor languishing in slavery, denied the
opportunity which his gifts entitled him to make for himself, Peter
Blood pounced like a hawk upon the obvious truth. Whacker and his
colleague desired to be rid of one who threatened to ruin them.
Sluggishness of decision was never a fault of Blood's. He leapt where
another crawled. And so this thought of evasion never entertained until
planted there now by Dr. Whacker sprouted into instant growth.

"I see, I see," he said, whilst his companion was still talking,
explaining, and to save Dr. Whacker's face he played the hypocrite. "It
is very noble in you--very brotherly, as between men of medicine. It is
what I myself should wish to do in like case."

The hard eyes flashed, the husky voice grew tremulous as the other asked
almost too eagerly:

"You agree, then? You agree?"

"Agree?" Blood laughed. "If I should be caught and brought back, they'd
clip my wings and brand me for life."

"Surely the thing is worth a little risk?" More tremulous than ever was
the tempter's voice.

"Surely," Blood agreed. "But it asks more than courage. It asks money. A
sloop might be bought for twenty pounds, perhaps."

"It shall be forthcoming. It shall be a loan, which you shall repay
us--repay me, when you can."

Th