"You sent for me," he said, in a deep, abrupt tone. Humphrey looked at him intently, the dark eyes meeting his, and the thick black brows contracted as the gaze was prolonged. "You sent for me," he repeated, abruptly; "what more do you want?" "I will tell you after a while," said Humphrey; "but first of all let me thank you for the kind treatment I have received at your hands." "You need not thank me," was the short reply. "Better treatment than you would have given me." "Well, yes," said Humphrey. "I am afraid it is." "Your cousin would have hung me." "My cousin! What do you know of my cousin!" "England is little. Every Englishman of mark is known." Humphrey looked at him curiously, and for the moment it seemed to him that he had heard that voice before, but his memory did not help him. "My cousin would have done his duty," he said, gravely. "His duty!" cried the captain, bitterly. "Your country has lost a treasure in the death of that man, sir." "Good heavens, man! What do you know--" "Enough, sir. Let Captain James Armstrong rest. The name is well represented now by a gentleman, and it is to that fact that Captain Humphrey owes his life." The latter stared at the speaker wonderingly. "Well, sir, why have you sent for me!" "To thank you, Commodore Junk, and to ask you a question or two." "Go on, sir. Perhaps I shall not answer you." "I will risk it," said Humphrey, watching him narrowly, "You spared my life. Why?" "I told you." "Then you will give me my liberty?" "What for?--to go away and return with another and better-manned ship to take us and serve the captain of the schooner as I have served you?" "No. I wish to return home." "What for?" "Surely you cannot expect me to wish to stay here!" "Why do you wish to go home to meet disgrace?" Humphrey started at having his own words repeated. "To be tried by court martial for the loss of your ship! Stay where you are, sir, and grow strong and well." "If I stay here, sir, when I have full liberty to go, shall I not be playing the part of the coward you called me when I was beaten down?" "You will not have full liberty to go, Captain Armstrong," said his captor, quietly. "You forget that you are a prisoner." "You do not intend to kill me and my men?" "We are not butchers, sir," was the cold reply. "Then what is your object in detaining us. Is it ransom?" "Possibly." "Name the sum, then, sir, and if it is in my power it shall be paid."