"I believe I have the amount handy, your Excellency!" he remarked amiably. "May I trouble you to invite you to produce the money for your own side of the bet? We have a vulgar custom among us in America, of requesting the other man to either 'put up or shut up.'" It happened that this cash had been carefully drawn from his resources before the eventful last evening at the club. Jarvis had prepared himself for all exigencies: he had not imagined that the first use would be a reversal to the ancient custom of his ancestors in the Blue Grass State,--a bet upon a race. But blood will tell, and here he was in the time-honored custom of the family! The Duke had not seen so much cash since his last ill-fated pilgrimage to Monte Carlo. He was staggered. But the musical laugh of the Princess brought back the haughty _savoir faire_ for which he was noted! "Ah ... well ... I understand you, sir," he stammered, with improving volubility. "Very good. As the Duke of Alva, it is not necessary for me to produce the exact cash on the spot. The word of a Spanish nobleman is as good as his bond. It is a wager, and the terms stand." His black eyes studied the pile of gold coins with sparkling interest. "Very good,--twice in the same place. The word of a Kentuckian is as good as his bond. I agreed to let the Princess be the stakeholder--she may hold your word, and my money-belt. Your Serene Highness--will you do me the honor?" And he turned toward the blushing girl, as he handed over the treasure. The insult was not lost on the Duke. But, as Jarvis reached for his hat, he could not resist a final slap! "Good-night, your Highness. I advise you to be very careful with the lock on the door. The ship lands to-morrow evening, and some villain may break into your stateroom, rob you of the Duke's word of honor and sell it to some enterprising Liverpool pawnbroker. Pleasant dreams! I hope to welcome you to Seguro, your Excellency. Don't spend the five thousand until you get there--remember, the home industries need encouragement." And he walked out to the promenade deck. The Duke looked at his cousin, flushed a swarthy red at the cynical laugh on her pretty face. Then he, too, hurried out--through the saloon passage. He was anxious to get to his own stateroom to think things over. XI WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN Back in his stateroom Warren was poring with renewed interest over the time-tables between Liverpool, London, Paris, and Madrid. Seguro was on the main line from the French capital to the principal one of Spain. As he made various penciled memoranda upon a page of his leather notebook, the telephone bell tinkled. He answered and heard the voice of the Princess. "Can you see me at once,--on the promenade deck, by my door?" "Yes. Good-by." In a few moments he was talking to her in the dark; all the lights of her suite were out. The girl was very nervous.