“Then search the bottom of the sea,” I shouted. “Let’s look at the matter in the right light.” He had mastered his grief, his incertitude. He was himself again, and the smile had returned--as if at the moment he forced his features to their natural lines. “Send one of your friars to heaven--you’ll never go there yourself to meet her.” “If you will tell me she’s alive, I’ll save you.” I made a mute, obstinate gesture. “If she’s alive, and you don’t tell me, I can’t but find her. And I’ll make you know the agonies of suspense--a long way from here.” I was silent. “If she’s dead, and you’ll tell me, I’ll save you some trouble. If she’s dead and you don’t, you’ll have your own remorse and the rest, too.” I said, “You’re too Irish mysterious for me to understand. But you’ve a choice of four evils for me--choose yourself.” He continued with a quivering, taut good-humour: “Prove to me she’s dead, and I’ll let you die sharply and mercifully.” “You won’t believe!” I said; but he took no notice. “I tell you plainly,” he smiled. “If we find... if we find her dear body--and I can’t help; but I’ve men on the watch all along the shores--I’ll give you up to your admiral for a pirate. You’ll have a long slow agony of a trial; I know what English justice is. And a disgraceful felon’s death.” I was thinking that, in any case, a day or so might be gained, the _Lion_ would be gone; they could not touch her while the flagship remained outside. I certainly didn’t want to be given up to the admiral; I might explain the mistaken identity. But there was the charge of treason in Jamaica. I said: “I only ask to be given up; but you daren’t do it for your own credit. I can show you up.” He said, “Make no mistake! If he gets you, he’ll hang you. He’s going home in disgrace. Your whole blundering Government will work to hang you.” “They know pretty well,” I answered, “that there are queer doings in Havana. I promise you, I’ll clear things up. I know too much....” He said, with a sudden, intense note of passion, “Only tell me where her grave is, I’ll let you go free. You couldn’t, you dare not, dastard that you are, go away from where she died--without... without making sure.” “Then search all the new graves in the island,” I said, “I’ll tell you nothing.... Nothing!” He came at me again and again, but I never spoke after that. He made all the issues clearer and clearer--his own side involuntarily and all the griefs I had to expect. As for him, he dared not kill me--and he dared not give me up to the admiral. In his suspense, since, for him, I was the only person in the world who knew Seraphina’s fate, he dared not let me out of his grip. And all the while he had me he must keep the admiral there, waiting for the surrender either of myself or of some other poor devil whom he might palm off as Nikola el Escoces. While the admiral was there the _Lion_ was pretty safe from molestation, and she would sail pretty soon.