"Yes, that's very handsome of you," he said reflectively. "But how do we know you'll do all that you promise?" Falk's white face momentarily lighted. I thought that for an instant his eyes shone like a tiger's. But he answered quietly, "Ain't my word good?" "Why, a _gentleman's_ word is always good security." There was just enough accent on the word "gentleman" to puzzle me. The remark sounded innocent enough, certainly, and yet the stress--if stress was intended--made it biting sarcasm. Obviously the men in the boat were equally in doubt whether to take offense or to accept the statement in good faith. "Well, you have my word," said Falk at last. "Yes, we have your word. But there's one other thing to be settled. How about the owners' money?" For a moment Falk seemed disconcerted, and I, thinking now that Roger was merely badgering him, smiled with satisfaction. But Falk answered the question after only brief hesitation, and Roger's next words plunged me deep in a sea of doubt. "Why, I shall guard the owners' money with all possible care, Mr. Hamlin, and expend it in their best interests," said Falk. "If that's the case," said Roger, "come alongside." CHAPTER XXV INCLUDING A CROSS-EXAMINATION Falk tried, I was certain, to conceal a smile of joy at Roger's simplicity, and I saw that others in the boat were averting their faces. Also I saw that they were shifting their weapons to have them more readily available. Our own men, on the contrary, were remonstrating audibly, and to my lasting shame I joined them. A queer expression appeared on Roger's face and he looked at us as if incredulous. I suddenly perceived that our rebellious attitude hurt him bitterly. He had led us so bravely through all our recent difficulties! And now, when success seemed assured, we manifested in return doubt and disloyalty! I literally hung my head. The others were abashed and silent, but I knew that my own defection was more contemptible by far than theirs, and had Roger reproached me sharply, I might have felt better for it. Instead, he spoke without haste or anger in a voice pitched so low that Falk could not possibly overhear him. "We simply _have_ to hold together, men. All to the gangway, now, and stand by for orders." That was all he said, but it was enough. Thoroughly ashamed of ourselves, we followed him to the gangway whither the boat was coming slowly. Roger assumed an air of neutral welcome as he reached for the bow of the pinnace; but to us behind him he whispered sharply, "Stand ready, all hands, with muskets and pikes." "Now, then, Captain Falk," he cried, "hand over the money first. We'll stow it safe on board." "Come, come," Falk replied. "Belay that talk." He was standing ready to climb on deck. "The money first," said Roger coolly. Suddenly he tried to hook the bow of the pinnace, but missed it as the pinnace dipped in the trough. The rest of us, waiting breathlessly, for the first time comprehended Roger's strategy.