"Don't forget they owe you no good will." "And would be only too glad to hang me up to the yardarm if discovered. Don't worry, my dear fellow. It has been my business to hide my identity from all sorts of inquisitive people. This comes right in my line. When will you go?" "I can be ready in five minutes, sir, but----" "In five minutes I shall be here." Then he vanished. The captain chuckled so hard he shook like a pyramid of calves foot jelly. "A boy after my own heart, God bless him, and all them that loves the ladies, are my sentiments. My little woman at home came without any such hardships, but I honors them as think no danger too great, no price too dear, when true affection calls. Only I _am_ surprised at his not falling in love with Miss Fairfax, for unless my old eyes deceive me she worships the ground he walks on. Well, this is a queer world anyhow, and remarkable things happen in it," with which sage remark the old sailor hurried away to fix up a little for his late visit on board the neighboring craft. When he returned to the spot the five minutes had expired. Roderic awaited him. The captain would never have suspected his identity only that he spoke. In that brief space of time Roderic had completely altered his appearance--instead of a gentleman, well dressed and desirous of only killing time, he had the look of an ordinary everyday sailor. Even his face was altered--Captain Beven never could tell how it was done, and marveled greatly at the tricks of the trade--but in the semi darkness it did not look at all like Owen who addressed him laughingly asking if he would do. "Most excellently. By the way I believe in being prepared for emergencies, even while not in the least expecting a display of force," significantly. "Oh, that's all right," returned Owen, touching his pocket in a convincing manner. The captain laughed. "Very good. Now, I'll take a couple of men with us to do the rowing. They shall remain in the boat while we go aboard. You can act like my boatswain, if you choose. I know the men to select, smart fellows who will understand what we're up to, and I'll guarantee they'll not give the game away. Wait a minute." The preliminaries were quickly adjusted. A boat being lowered they dropped in. The two men knew who their stranger sailor companion was, the captain having given them a few pointers, deeming it the part of wisdom that they should not be kept in ignorance, and as Roderic had quickly made firm friends of all the yacht's crew, by his cheery and hearty ways, they were genuinely interested in the successful outcome of his venture. Poor the sailor who has not sweetheart or wife in port--indeed, they have been often accused, doubtless falsely, of a predilection for having a girl in every port. The silvery crescent moon just hung trembling above the horizon, preparatory to taking the plunge that would hide her from view until another night rolled around.