on the fleet to-night. It would be a splendid time for him to come; and if he happens to have any idea of putting in an appearance, I would rather not have the whole bunch of owners and their friends rush to their vessels from the club-house, after hearing your story, just in time to spoil the pirate’s plans. I would rather he’d have the coast clear for to-night, if he does intend to come, and if you yapped about the business the scene might be spoiled.”

[56]

[56]

CHAPTER VI. CAPTAIN SPARKLE’S SECOND VICTIM.

CAPTAIN SPARKLE’S SECOND VICTIM.

“Max,” said Nick, after a pause, during which he had been watching the maneuvers of the Harkaway as she came to her buoy on the anchorage, “I have not asked the question before, because I thought there was no need; but have you ever heard the suggestion that there was a pirate in this part of the world, before you met with your own experience?”

“Never.”

“It is a pretty sure thing, isn’t it, that if somebody else had run afoul of him as you did, you would have heard of it?”

“I think it is; unless some other fellow has been boarded who felt about as cheap as I do about it, and has resolved to keep it to himself until somebody else speaks. That is why I had made up my mind to let out the whole thing at the club meeting to-night.”

“But, even in that case, the information would have been likely to leak out, don’t you suppose?”

“I certainly do.”

“I imagine there is a beginning to the career of a pirate, the same as there would be the beginning of a career in other professions, don’t you?”

“Naturally.”

“And has it occurred to you that the fellow was sort of getting his hand in on you?”

[57]

[57]

“Eh? What is that?”

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