"But, stay. I wish to give you a proof of frankness, and show you once for all how wrong you would be in keeping up, I will not say the least hope, but the slightest illusion as to what is going on here." Then, tapping the table smartly with the heel of his glass, he shouted,-- "Come here, Nicaud, I want you." A heavy step resounded on the cabin stairs, and almost immediately Skipper Nicaud's cunning face was framed by the doorway. "What do you want, Michael?" he asked, without seeming even to notice the Major's presence. "Only a trifle, my lad," the sailor replied, pointing to the officer, who had turned pale, through the emotion he felt. "Only a simple question for the personal satisfaction of this gentleman." "Speak." "Who is the present commander of the Seagull lugger, in whose cabin we are now seated?" "Why, you, of course." "Then everyone aboard, yourself included, must obey me?" "Certainly; and without the slightest observation." "Very good. Then supposing, Nicaud, I were to order you to take the Major here present, fasten a couple of round shot to his feet, and throw him overboard, what would you do, my lad?" "What would I do?" "Yes." "Obey." "Without any observation?" Skipper Nicaud shrugged his shoulders. "Shall I do it?" he asked, stretching out his huge fist towards the Major, who shuddered. "Not yet," Michael answered. "Go back on deck, but do not go far, as I shall probably want you soon." "Very good," said the master, and disappeared. "Are you now edified, Major?" Michael asked, turning carelessly to the horrified governor; "And are you not beginning to understand that I, poor chap as I am, compared with you, have you, temporarily, at any rate, completely in my power?" "I allow it," the Major stammered, in a faint and choking voice. "In that case, I believe we shall come to an understanding." "Come to the facts, sir, without further circumlocution." "Good!" Michael exclaimed, coarsely; "That's how I like to see you. In the first place, hand me the diamond which your accomplice gave you in the ruins." "Then you mean robbery. I had hoped better things of you," the Major answered, disdainfully. "Call it what you like, Major," the sailor said imperturbably; "the name does not alter the thing--give me the diamond." "No," the Major answered coldly, "the diamond is my fortune, and you shall only have it with my life." "That condition, illogical though it is, will not check me, I assure you, for I will kill you, if necessary, and then take the diamond," and he cocked a pistol. There was a silence. "Well, then, it is really this diamond you want?" "That and something else," said Michael. "I do not understand you." The sailor rose, placed the pistol to his chest, and said frowningly-- "I will make you understand me." The Major felt he was lost, and that this man would kill him. "Stop!" he said. "Have you decided?"