"I have no time to lose," he muttered; "this country is getting too hot for me. I must get away at once. If I but had the wherewith I would take the first outgoing steamer. What a capital idea it would be!" he cried, laughing aloud, grimly. "If I could manage to abduct Hubert Varrick's intended bride and hold her for a ransom? I made a success of it with Gerelda Northrup when she stood at the very altar with him; and what a man does once he can do again. The first time it was done for love's sake; now it would be a question of money with me. I have but little time to lose." Again he made his way to the lonely, red-brick house on the side street, taking good care that he was not observed. In response to his repeated knocks, the door was opened at length by a small, dark-complexioned man. "Captain Frazier! by all that's amazing!" he cried. "When did you blow into port, I should like to know?" "I came in this morning," was the reply. "I am never quite sure what you want of me," replied the other, eyeing the captain suspiciously in the dim twilight. "But come in--come in," he added, hastily. "We are just sitting down to supper. Come and take something with us, if you're not too proud to sit at our humble table." "I've got over being proud long ago," said the captain, following the other along a very narrow hall. The interior of the room into which he was ushered bespoke the fact that it was inhabited by men--presumably sailors, from the nautical implements thrown promiscuously about. It was unoccupied, and Captain Frazier took his seat at the head of the table. "Some of the boys left very hurriedly when they heard the loud, resounding knock on the front door," his companion said, laughingly, as he heaped the tempting viands on Frazier's plate. The captain, whose appetite had been sadly neglected, paid great attention to the savory dishes before him. "We have been accustomed to talking and eating at the same time," he began. "Of course," returned the other. "When do you make your next trip out?" "In a week's time, probably, if all is favorable." "I think I shall ship with you," said the captain. "This part of the country is getting too unsafe for me. I see by to-day's paper that they are searching for me." "Well, you must have expected that." "Yes, I have determined to leave the country," Captain Frazier repeated; "but I do not propose to go alone." His companion looked at him curiously, wondering what was coming; then, leaning nearer him, the captain whispered a plot in his ear that made his friend open his heavy eyes wide in amazement. "I haven't a cent of money," admitted the captain; "but if you will work with me, you shall have half the ransom." "A woman is a nuisance on board of a boat like ours," said the other; "but if you are sure so large an amount will be paid for her return, it will be well worth working for."