Virginia gave him an indignant glance. “Of course, I know that they won’t come near the boat,” she said. “Do you suppose that I am scared on my own account? It was to your danger that I was referring. I really don’t think that I have any right to let you do this thing, Mr. Hawley. Much as I would like to see poor President Felix freed, and my dear friend the señora made happy, it scarcely seems fair to encourage you to run such a terrible risk. To think of you attempting to swim in that water makes my blood run cold.” “Then I beg you not to think of it,” he said laughingly. “Turn your attention to the sky instead. Did you ever see such a black night? I haven’t, since I’ve been in Baracoa. It certainly looks as if we’ve got our luck with us. I haven’t much doubt, now, that I’ll be able to get up to the fortress unobserved.” All the while he was talking, he was rowing, his strong arms pulling at the oars so vigorously that the motor boat moved through the water almost as easily as if it had been built to be propelled in that manner. But presently he stopped rowing, and shipped his oars. “Guess we can start the motor, now,” he remarked; “we’re far enough from the shore to escape attention. See those lights twinkling over yonder? That’s the _Kearsarge_. And those two little lights to the east of her are on El Torro. Notice how near to the fortress she is anchored. You see, I shan’t have much of a swim, after all.” Virginia smiled at him reproachfully. “Do you think I am as easily deceived as all that? Those lights may not look far apart, from here, but I happen to know that the distance between the battleship and the fortress is nearly half a mile. However, Mr. Hawley, I’m not going to try to persuade you to give up this mad undertaking, because I realize that I stand no chance of making you listen to reason.” She sighed. “It does seem unfair, though, that you should be running all the risk, while I----” “All the risk!” Hawley interrupted protestingly. “Well, I like that! I suppose you’re not running any risk at all? Why, you plucky girl!” he exclaimed, deep admiration in his tone. “As a matter of fact, you’re doing the lion’s share of the work. If our efforts to-night result in setting President Felix free, he’ll have you to thank for it more than anybody.” “Nonsense!” the girl protested, much pleased, nevertheless, by his praise. “You know very well that I shan’t be in the slightest danger. Portiforo can’t do anything to me, even when he finds out the trick I’ve played his soldiers. If you thought that he could, you would never have taken me as your assistant. Don’t you suppose that I realize that?” “But it’s going to get you into trouble with your father,” Hawley reminded her dryly. “I don’t imagine that Minister Throgmorton is going to be exactly pleased when he hears of his daughter’s escapade--especially when he finds out that her fellow conspirator is a _Sentinel_ man.”