"Do you promise to maintain absolute secrecy concerning what occurs aboard the Polipheme tonight?" "I give you a gentleman's word," replied René. The three men lifted the never so helpless, but still lucky, Volpetti down the stairway aboard the sloop in waiting. Chapter VI THE PARDON Naundorff and Amélie, from the Polipheme's deck, watched the men carrying Volpetti to the sloop. They trembled and clasped hands. The vessel was anchored in deep water and the waves rocked her from side to side. The night was cold and damp. Amélie shivered, chilled by the spray. Just then the guard announced the arrival of the sloop and René's voice triumphantly called across the waters: "Amélie! Amélie!" She ran to the vessel's side as the rope ladder was thrown down and saw what seemed to be a dead body, borne by her lover and his companion. On reaching deck, René rapturously kissed Amélie's hand and then triumphantly handed Naundorff the box. "Drop anchor!" called out the captain, and the Polipheme rode away from the English coast. Meanwhile Amélie, Naundorff, René, the captain, and the two Carbonari gathered in the cabin. Punch was ordered, for they were all soaking wet and had need of a stimulant. The liquor sparkled with the tossing of the vessel and a sense of good fellowship diffused itself among the ship's company, some of whom a few hours earlier were unknown to one, another. With her customary resolution, Amélie took the initiative: "Gentlemen, we must understand each other. My father and I are not Irish travelers seeking employment in France. We are French outlaws, the police on our trail, and a mighty party seeking to exterminate us. The man lying bound on deck is a villain who robbed us of our certificates, the documents entitling us to our inheritance. The Marquis de Brezé, my affianced lover, has recovered these papers. Am I correct in inferring that you have aided him?" "Mademoiselle," replied Giacinto, "the veriest coincidence has united our projects. The Marquis has a strong arm but lacks caution. I cast his first victim into the sea or we should not now be securely riding away from Dover. O royal punch!" he cried, draining his glass. "The second victim," remarked Louis Pierre, "will also sleep in the water, but we are first to extract his secrets. What think you, Captain?" "'Tis the only solution, my friend," replied Soliviac gravely. "'Tis a lamentable necessity," added René. "Say, rather, a mild retaliation," insisted Giacinto. Amélie's glance was of an avenging archangel. Naundorff rose to his feet and towered above them all. His voice rose in an appeal, a supplication: "No blood! No blood! Let us forgive!" "Forgive that unscrupulous creature?--that instrument of tyrants?" exclaimed Louis Pierre. "He has betrayed and tortured the innocent," said Soliviac solemnly. "He brought my brother to the scaffold" cried Giacinto. "He sought the death of my father," said Amélie. Then, in chorus, they cried: "He must die!"