“Boy, somehow or other you have the knack of angering me, and when people anger me they are in danger, especially when they are enemies to the king. In certain crises I even possess the legal power of life and death; and were I so minded I could string you from the rigging of this vessel. What do you say to that?” “Nothing,” returned Ethan, looking him unflinchingly in the eye. “Ask me that question,” said Longsword, “and, faith, I’ll say plenty.” “Be still, you Irish hound!” hissed the spy; “or I’ll have you stretched across a grating, and let you see how the boatswain can use the cat.” “Arrah, don’t go to any bother on my account,” said the dragoon coolly. “I am willing enough to believe that the gentleman is an artist wid the cat-o’-nine-tails. Your word, sir, is enough for me.” But Danvers paid no attention to him. Bending over Ethan, he said: “For the last time, will you tell me where the dispatch is hidden?” “For the last time,” said Ethan boldly, “I answer that I do not know.” The emissary of the crown remained staring in his face for a moment; then he turned away; his footsteps sounded upon the ladder, the hatch above was closed and they were left once more in darkness. CHAPTER XIII HOW THE SPY LOST HIS PRISONERS In the pale dawn of the early morning the tender dropped anchor in a small cove, and the two prisoners were brought upon the deck. The leg irons had been removed, but their arms were still chained behind them. Once more they were placed in a small boat, and were rowed ashore. Under guard of Danvers and a couple of seamen they were marched through the streets of a small, poor-looking town, and at last brought to a halt before a gloomy, half-ruined stone building. Danvers knocked loudly upon the door. “This,” said he, turning to Ethan and Longsword as he waited for the door to be opened, “is to be your place of residence until such time as you make up your mind to tell me what has become of the dispatch.” “Have you not said that you thought Captain Jones had it?” “But the Lascar said that you were to deliver it to the earl; and I think that that was why the landing was made.” The man paused a moment, then added with a great deal of eagerness in his voice, “Tell me, did you conceal it anywhere upon St. Mary’s Isle before you were taken?” “I have told you that I know nothing of the dispatch save that Siki took it from the cabin of the Ranger.” There was plain disbelief upon the face of the spy; but before he could make any reply, the door opened slightly, as though upon a chain, and a woman’s face appeared--a bony, fierce-looking countenance with a mop of unkempt hair above it. “What is wanted at this hour?” she demanded harshly. “It’s I, Meg,” replied Danvers; “I’ve brought some lodgers for you.”