Parkington nodded. "Something of the sort; so I borrowed another's--a dead man's--for the time." Brandon laughed, grimly. "Methinks your string is little longer than my own--though I wish you success with the game you are playing, whatever it is." Parkington took a low stool, from the corner, and sat down. "The immediate point is to lengthen _your_ string," he said. "You will help me to escape?" the other asked. "Yes--I have not forgot the old days, Charles." Brandon looked at him thoughtfully. "Why?" he asked, "what is the _quid pro quo_?" "Nothing whatever, but past deeds. You forget the risk is mine. I put myself in your power, when I came here. A word from you, and I am undone." "A word from the pirate, taken red-handed? Oh, no! But I will grant anything you ask, in reason and out. I may not cavil with the noose before my nose." "Wait, then, until I ask it!" laughed Parkington. "How is your wounded shoulder." "It is nothing--only a broken collar-bone. I have led many a boarding party with worse. It is these damn things that weigh me down," indicating the irons. "You could swim to shore, if they were off?" queried Parkington. "Easily. Besides, if I fail, I win anyway." "And the key to the irons is in Jamison's pocket! Well, it shall be my business to abstract it. And, then, having got it to you, the rest depends upon yourself--aided by my prayers." "If it is just the same to you, I would prefer you stopped with the key," said Brandon. "I doubt the efficacy of your prayers." "So be it--I will leave the praying to you." "How long am I to be kept here?" asked Brandon. "Only a day or two, I believe. It is the purpose of Captain Jamison to carry you to Annapolis for trial." "And, in the meantime, you will try for the key?" "I shall try for the key before I leave the ship," said Parkington. "What troubles me, is an excuse to come back to you when I have it.... Brandon, how long have you been doing--this?" "You mean, how long have I been sailing under the Jolly Roger? Four years, this spring. It was down in Havana. I fell in with a Captain Sparks. From cards to a duel was an easy transition. I killed Sparks, and, for want of something better to do, I seized his ship, put my sword through his mate--who questioned my authority--and ruled in his stead." "And took the soubriquet of Long-Sword." "The men gave me the name for want of a better. My rapier struck them as of unusual length." "And of unusual strength," said Parkington, "as they, doubtless, were made to realize."