“You are no coward,” he said, at the same time making an effort to pacify the hound. “How am I to know that you are not sent here by my enemies to spy upon me? It is not three days since I found Caesar nearly dead, and the next morning there were footprints under my study window.” Whether it was by mere chance or by intention that he made this allusion to my former escapade, I do not know. However, I met his look bravely and without flinching. For the moment, he seemed satisfied of my integrity, whatever his inward thoughts may have been. “Tell your story, St. Vincent. But mark my word, if you play me a trick I shall have you lashed.” He hesitated a moment, then added, with his eyes upon me as before: “Ay, or worse than lashed.” “When you find me false, it will be time to talk of punishment,” I answered stiffly. “I am no knave, but an honest man.” “Proceed; it is the only way I can get rid of you.” “Pardon me,” I retorted, at the same time rising from my chair as if much offended at his rude rejoinder. “I have no desire to serve you. There are some things that become neither a gentleman nor a gentleman’s master. I shall rid you of my presence as soon as I have delivered a message that should not have waited on my own concerns.” “You have a message for me?” “Yes. Captain Tew desired me to inform you that his voyage is prospering well, and that ample return will be made.” “Tew, Tew, who is Captain Tew?” “Your honor best knows. He bade me tell you that. With your permission I shall seek my horse.” “Be not so quick to take offense. Sit down again and explain your errand.” “My only other purpose was to enter your service, and on that point I have changed my mind.” “Sit down, fool. I take back what I said. Can you not pardon an old man’s temper?” Plainly my allusion to the buccaneer had touched him home. I knew by the look in his face that by that clew I could wind him round my finger; but I saw too that I must be careful not to run my own head into a noose while I made the attempt to snare him. As yet I had succeeded in arousing only his interest and, perhaps, his suspicion. For a moment I stood with my eyes on the ground as if debating with myself. Then I answered: “You have spoken like a gentleman. I likewise retract my hasty speech.” He gave me his hand. “We begin to understand each other, Monsieur St. Vincent. I was wrong in my first impression. Frankly, I took you for a spy who would not leave till you had wormed some information out of me. But I am satisfied. You have not the manner of a spy. Now tell your tale.” He fitted the palms of his hands together, idly paddling the tips of his fingers against each other. This was a habit, I afterwards learned, that he often resorted to, especially when he was at a loss to comprehend the situation. I went on to tell the patroon a made-up tale of my adventures with the buccaneer.