“And now, Mr. Frowningshield,” continued Stranleigh, turning to the manager, “let us settle all our financial affairs before lunch, so that we may enjoy our meal without the thought of commercialism at the hoard. You have seen the damage I have caused in your forest, thinking all the while it was my own property. Of course, if you were acting for yourself alone, I am certain I could drive a very easy bargain with you, but you are responsible for the care of these lands to the European syndicate you spoke of, and so, on its behalf, you must be just, rather than generous. At how much coin of the realm do you place my depredations? I know it would cost me a pretty penny if I committed so unforgivable a trespass in England.” “How many trees did you cut down, Mr. Stranleigh?” “Oh, Lord knows! Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, or a hundred perhaps. That can easily be discovered. We’ll send a man across in the motor boat to count the stumps.” “Oh, it isn’t worth while. Would you be content to part with another hundred pounds?” “Done; and you’ve let me off cheaply, Mr. Frowningshield. Just pardon me a moment until I get the money,” and once more he disappeared down below. But all this had not changed in the least the captain’s apprehension. “He’s gone to give the signal,” he said. “Well, you know, captain, I’ve a great regard for you, yet I cannot find it possible to distrust the faith of that young man. He may be a fool, but he’s a gentleman. I don’t believe he would invite three men to a feast, and then imprison them. Now, I’m no fool, but then I’m no gentleman, either, and I’d do it in a minute, if I had an enemy in my power, yet I’m sure he won’t. You’ll see him come up with the money, and you’ll miss a mighty good feed by going off to the _Rajah_.” “I’m willing to miss the meal, if I once get aboard my ship. I’ll turn her round, and make for the ocean within the hour. You stop here as long as you can; all afternoon, if possible, and give the _Rajah_ a chance to get out of sight before this fellow follows.” “But he can easily overtake you. Still, what could he do if he did? You surely don’t expect him to seize your vessel?” “I don’t know what I expect, but I am afraid of him. I think him quite capable of following me to sea, and capturing the _Rajah_.” “Nonsense, that would be rank piracy. That would be a hanging matter. It would do him no good to sink you, and what could he do with the _Rajah_ once he had her? There are too many witnesses on board. He wouldn’t dare to sail into any port in the world. But then there’s not the slightest danger of that. He’s no pirate. The days of piracy are past. He may be a fool, but he’s not such a fool as to try a trick like that.” “Will you stop here and give me a chance to get away?” “Willingly.” “Very well, if I once get out of sight there are ten chances to one he can’t catch me before I’m in the Tagus.”