“Pog-Reis asks for you because he wishes to get rid of you. He knows that you tried to make his crew act contrary to his orders. As to these two women, he prefers a ransom. You are to go and demand this ransom from Raimond V. As soon as the money is here, you can conduct the two doves to Maison-Forte.” “That is a decoy to separate me from them,” cried Erebus. “You are lying.” “And if I only wished to take you away, my young captain, what would hinder my calling our men to my aid, and making them carry you off?” “I have a kangiar in my belt,” said Erebus. “And when you have stabbed one, or two, or three of these honest pirates, will you not be obliged to yield to numbers sooner or later? So believe me; go on board the _Red Galleon_. Pog-Reis will give you his orders and a little boat. You will go to Raimond V., and to-morrow you can be here with a large sum of gold that the old baron will be only too glad to give for his daughter. To-morrow, I tell you, you can take away these two girls.” “My God, what is to be done?” cried Reine. “That man perhaps is speaking the truth. And my father would not hesitate to give any sum, whatever it might be. Yet, if the man is lying, we will only lose our only protector,” added she, turning to Erebus. Erebus was equally perplexed. He realised that he must succumb to numbers at last, and that, in refusing Pog-Reis, he would only aggravate the situation of Mlle, des Anbiez. After some moments of reflection Reine said to Erebus, in a voice full of courage: “Go to my father, and give me that weapon,” and she pointed to the dagger which Erebus wore at his side. “I am left without a defender, but at least death will be able to save from dishonour.” Impressed with these simple and dignified words, Erebus knelt respectfully before Reine, and gave her his kangiar without uttering a word, as if he feared to profane the solemnity of the scene. He left the cabin, followed by the Bohemian, embarked in a small boat, and presented himself to Pog, on board the _Red Galleon_. Hadji left Erebus on board this vessel, and returned to the chebec to carry out the orders of Pog. The Bohemian set sail and was out of the bay before Reine and Stephanette knew that he had returned. After a few tacks, he distinguished perfectly the commander’s black galley and Captain Trinquetaille’s polacre to his windward. The two vessels were coming from La Ciotat. A few words will explain their presence in sight of the bay, and how they had been able to follow the track of the pirates. CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE THREE BROTHERS Pierre des Anbiez arrived at Cape l’Aigle at the break of day. Scarcely had the black galley anchored in the port of La Ciotat, when the commander and his brother descended to the shore. Everywhere they saw marks of the pirate’s barbarity. The weeping inhabitants then knew all the extent of their losses. Each family had learned which one of its members had perished or had been taken captive.