A Spanish steward entered bearing a silver chocolate service and
a box of Peruvian candies, which he placed on the table before the
lady.
"With the Admiral's homage," he said, then bowed, and withdrew.
Miss Bishop took no heed of him or his offering, but continued to
stare before her, lost in thought. Lord Julian took a turn in the
long low cabin, which was lighted by a skylight above and great
square windows astern. It was luxuriously appointed: there were
rich Eastern rugs on the floor, well-filled bookcases stood against
the bulkheads, and there was a carved walnut sideboard laden with
silverware. On a long, low chest standing under the middle stern
port lay a guitar that was gay with ribbons. Lord Julian picked
it up, twanged the strings once as if moved by nervous irritation,
and put it down.
He turned again to face Miss Bishop.
"I came out here," he said, "to put down piracy. But - blister me!
- I begin to think that the French are right in desiring piracy to
continue as a curb upon these Spanish scoundrels.
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