" M. de Rivarol smote the table
in exasperation. This pirate was too infernally skillful a fencer.
"You are quite certain of that, M. le Baron - that you cannot?"
"I am quite certain that I will not."
Captain Blood shrugged, and looked down his nose. "In that case,"
said he, "it but remains for me to present my little account for
our disbursement, and to fix the sum at which we should be
compensated for our loss of time and derangement in coming hither.
That settled, we can part friends, M. le Baron. No harm has been
done."
"What the devil do you mean?" The Baron was on his feet, leaning
forward across the table.
"Is it possible that I am obscure? My French, perhaps, is not of
the purest, but...."
"Oh, your French is fluent enough; too fluent at moments, if I
may permit myself the observation. Now, look you here, M. le
filibustier, I am not a man with whom it is safe to play the fool,
as you may very soon discover. You have accepted service of the
King of France - you and your men; you hold the rank and draw the
pay of a Capitaine de Vaisseau, and these your officers hold the
rank of lieutenants.
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