“I mean the man who haunted the grounds, sir, for days. He wanted to see the earl; and when, at last, he did see him, the earl went away to London or some other place. No, sir, I don’t like these blackamoors.” “Too late,” said Ethan Carlyle, with a great feeling of weight at his heart. “It would seem that we are to be disappointed in both quests,” said the captain, in a low tone. “The earl is gone and he has taken the paper with him. Perhaps it is even now in the hands of the British ministers.” Then he turned to Simpson and Hall. “We may as well return to the ship. There seems to be nothing for us here.” “There is the hall,” said Simpson, pointing toward the great white building whose top appeared above the trees. “I have no doubt but what there is rich plunder there.” “Hah!” ejaculated Paul Jones, staring into the lieutenant’s sullen face through his puckered eyelids. “Simpson is right,” said Hall. “We have taken this risk, and should not be asked to go back to the ship empty handed.” “Who is it at the hall?” asked Jones of the old servant. “Only the countess, sir,” replied the bewildered old man. “Do you hear?” and the Ranger’s commander wheeled upon his officers with stormy eyes. “There is only a helpless woman then at the house. Are my ship’s company to turn buccaneers, indeed?” “It is all very well for you to hold your high notions,” said Lieutenant Simpson with something like a sneer, “but the officers of the Ranger sailed in her for profit. And as here is an excellent chance for booty, I am for seizing it.” “If you sail for glory, Captain Jones,” said Hall, “very well. Patriotism is a very good thing; but plunder is not so bad.” There was a murmur of assent from the boats’ crews; the continued insubordination of these two officers during the voyage had spoiled the men of the Ranger; there had been times when only the utmost firmness had prevented a mutiny. “The cruise of the Ranger has not been as fortunate as we could wish,” remarked Simpson, “and now that this little chance for plunder presents itself we have no desire to see it slip by.” “Nor the crew either,” said Hall, meaningly. And the men shot frowning glances at their captain. The latter’s face was white with anger and his hand clutched the pistol in his belt. Ethan and Longsword stepped to his side with weapons ready in case of need; the commander gave them a quick look of thanks. But a moment had served to change his mind. To shoot down Simpson and Hall would only bring on a bloody and unnecessary encounter, and the loss of the Ranger to the cause of freedom might result. So the captain’s hand dropped away from his pistol butt, and he said in an icy voice: “You do this thing against my will. I want that understood; and both of you will answer for it before a naval board.” “If you are so very particular about the matter,” said Simpson, “why, when the booty is appraised by the prize court, you can buy it in and return it to the noble earl if you so desire.”