"Don't be alarmed, my dear captain. It merely described how the brave Captain l'Endurci conducted an attack, how like a tiger he fought, etc. It said nothing in relation to his private life." "This is unbearable," said Cloarek, impatiently, though he was in reality greatly relieved. "I was certainly actuated by no evil motive, in any event; besides, as Segoffin says, there is no undoing that which is done, or words to that effect." "It is useless to discuss the matter further. You came here to ask me to put to sea again. I shall do nothing of the kind. That is the end of it." "But it is not the end of it by any means, my dear captain. Just give me your attention for a moment. A three-master belonging to the East India Company, with two million francs in bullion, will soon be along. Two million francs, do you hear?" "If she had ten millions aboard it would make no difference to me. I shall not put to sea again. I have said it, and I mean it." "It is true that you have said so, my dear captain, but you will change your mind--for many reasons." "I never go back on my word, monsieur." "No more do I; but often, and in spite of ourselves, circumstances force--" "Once again I tell you that I said no, and no it is." "You said no, I admit! You will say yes, too, my dear captain," responded the ship owner, with an air of profound conviction. "Enough, M. Verduron, enough!" cried Cloarek, stamping his foot, angrily. "Don't irritate M. Yvon," Segoffin remarked to the ship owner, _sotto voce_. "I know him. You'll only bring down a terrific storm upon your head." "All I ask, my dear captain," persisted M. Verduron, "is that you will give me your attention for five minutes, that is all." "Go on, then." "You will see by this clipping from an English newspaper,--and the sources of information seem to be perfectly trustworthy, by the way,--you will see that the British cruiser _Vanguard_ which is convoying the richly laden vessel is commanded by Captain Blake." "Captain Blake?" "The same," replied the ship owner. "He is, as you know, one of the most daring officers in the British navy, and, unfortunately for us, he has always come off victorious in his encounters with our vessels." "Oh, if I could only have been lucky enough to get a shot at him!" muttered Segoffin. "You will, never fear, you old sea-wolf. As for you, my dear captain, your silence means consent, I am sure. Think of the honour, as well as the profit, to be derived from the operation: four or five hundred thousand francs and the _Vanguard_ in tow of the _Hell-hound_, all in forty-eight hours." Segoffin, who had been accustomed for years to make a profound study of his employer's physiognomy, and who had been carefully noting the effect of these proposals, said in a low tone to the ship owner, shaking his head the while: "The bait is tempting, but he isn't going to swallow it this time."