"Not at all a bad idea, captain. But are you certain the _Virgen del Socorro_ is in the market? I thought it was owned by the brothers Z----, who have always looked upon the schooner as a sort of child of theirs." "That is so. But ties of the closest affection have to be broken in these troubled times, and the brothers Z---- have decided to dissolve partnership. I dare say your boatman José, who ought to be well up in harbor gossip, will be able to tell you all about that. There's no doubt my information is correct. I can even tell you the exact figure at which the owners are willing to sell--eleven thousand five hundred pesetas." "Dirt cheap, considering the times," said the Vice-Consul, thoughtfully. He took an extra long pull at his beer tankard, and then, bringing the blue earthenware vessel down on the table with a bang, exclaimed, "By Jove, captain, you've put me on the right track! I'm beginning to see the way to do it. Listen!" The plan unfolded was as follows. Using his boatman as an intermediary--José was generally believed to be fairly well-to-do--he would enter into negotiations with the brothers Z---- for the purchase of the _Virgen del Socorro_. One of the conditions of the agreement would be particularly tempting to the owners. On the understanding that the purchase was kept secret--the rumor might indeed be set afloat that the brothers had decided not to part with their dearly-beloved boat--they should be allowed to retain possession until the very last moment before the schooner was required by the new proprietors. There was evidently a double advantage in this: it would allay any suspicions which inquisitive harbor authorities or other officials might have whilst preparations were being made on board the _Virgen del Socorro_ for the reception of the fugitives from Pampeluna, and it would enable the Vice-Consul, the captain, and other helpers to carry out those preparations at their leisure. No one could say how long it would take them to prepare the road to the "open door" of Vigo. Though the Vice-Consul's secret service fund was still well supplied, it was no good to minimize the difficulties, which were greater than the captain of the _Wehrt_ could possibly comprehend until he had explained the full extent of his plan. The _Virgen del Socorro_ was to be sent right round the British Isles, in order to descend the North Sea unobserved, and, flying the Dutch flag, reach a Belgian port. It was a risky plan, but, the British Navy notwithstanding, the conspirators thought it had possibilities of success. The Vice-Consul, in assisting the scheme, proposed to make the Fatherland a present of more than the eleven officers at Pampeluna.