Roy Norton

“ When two men wish to hold a confidential conversation, m'sieur, there are but two places where it may be held in safety. One is in the midst of a crowded street, and the other where the splashing of innumerable drops of water into a great basin disturbs the eavesdropper's auditory capacities. Not that it matters so much here, where my servants are all, I hope, trustworthy, and where, also, I believe none knows or speaks French, in which we shall converse. ”

“ He complimented me in my very softest spot by remarking that the Esperanza was as neat and well-found as a first-class man-o'-war. He exhibited not the slightest interest in Jimmy Martin's side of the deck-house, nor did he so much as mention the chief engineer, whose absence ashore he seemed to take for granted. We had returned to my cabin, where I tried to prove a hospitable host, before ever he spoke a word of French, and then asked me with the utmost suavity whether I understood his native language. ”

“ I have, first of all, a fervent desire to assist the land that I still claim as my own, and I should do that without hope of reward were it not for that cry of memory which makes me trust that there are men in France to-day who, because of my unexpected action, will think more kindly of one who made so many serious mistakes in his life, has now repented, and—perhaps they will forgive. ”

“ It is a most unusual thing for a Frenchman resident in the tropics, and possessed of enormous wealth, to refrain from making a visit home at least once a year; let alone more than twenty years. And to my certain knowledge, Monsieur Périgord has not made such a visit in that time. Get me? Also I do not think that he really loves the Venezuelans, because I, being an American, have been honored with this distinguished business for nearly fifteen years, and once secured him a passage completely through to Washington, where he went to visit the French Ambassador to the United States. ”

“ You are able, experienced, fearless, and are fighting to make profits. I offer you an enterprise which will bring you more return than any in which you have ever embarked. Just one successful trip and you are a made man. Your risks are great and your reward will be in proportion. I am rich enough to make it immensely worth your while. If you will take full charge of this shipment, land it in France, and deliver it, together with a letter which I will give you, to the Minister of the Treasury, I will pay you one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. ”

“ But, try as I would, it was impossible to conceive a connection between Monsieur Hector de la Périgord and myself, and, further, I was drawn to the conclusion that Jimmy Martin's woes were not at an end, nor the machinations against him. And in the meantime, since reaching port, Jimmy had taken advantage of the brief spell of ship's idleness to plunge into his own mysterious experiments to such an extent that he no longer left his outer cabin for his meals, but had them brought in to him, bolted them, shoved the tray outside the door, and locked every one out. ”

“ I protested, "why not let me convey it to New York? It is safer. You must be aware that at this stage of the war it is a very risky procedure to attempt to land such a cargo in France, across waters that are thoroughly infested with the most modern and devilish submarines that man has ever invented." ”

“ You have established a reputation for honesty and courage that is without blemish. You are presumed to be struggling to establish yourself in a line of your own which will put you beyond the necessity of captaining your own ships. You have had a most noteworthy success thus far. You are in Maracaibo most unexpectedly, and for me most opportunely."
I was dumbfounded by the amount of knowledge that my host had obtained and waited expectantly to know the reason for his extraordinary interest in who and what I was. ”

“ Without incident we delivered our cargo to its consignees, and I doubt if a quicker unloading was ever made in Maracaibo, where good dock laborers in ordinary times are scarce. There was a positive clamor for charters, but unfortunately most of them were destined for European ports. I had brought the Esperanza to Maracaibo through tropical waters with the idea of having relief from the anxieties of transatlantic voyages, and therefore I took my time in deciding what outward-bound cargo I should accept. I desired nothing for Europe. ”

“ I have trust in you because I have made inquiries concerning you. See! I know all about you!"
He suddenly lifted his elbows, shoved a hand into an inner pocket of his coat, and produced some papers, among them several that were obviously cablegrams, and, beginning with the first, referred to them as he talked:
"You are thirty years old; your father gained renown for honesty; you have a home left you by him in Cotuit, Massachusetts, where your mother died some two years ago. You were an experienced sailor before entering the United States Navy, where you gained nothing but praise. ”

“ Yes, m'sieur, I am aware of the difficulties and the risks, and that if I chose I could send my money to New York, all of which does not alter my original premise that gold in France to-day is more potent than anywhere else. ”

“ It is astonishing how suspicious one gets after having his head bumped a few times by such occurrences as had taken place aboard the Esperanza since she left New York, to say nothing of the constant vigilance which I had been compelled to keep during my hazardous trips with munitions. ”