glass, placing these upon the table at his elbow.

"Have a drink first," he said, pouring it out. "It will stiffen your
nerve."

"Thanks, no, Senor. I have nerve enough and once I start that sort of
thing there is no stopping. Take it yourself and then tell me what is
in the wind."

"I will, Gates," affecting cordiality, although I somehow felt that my
refusal to imbibe had aroused a faint suspicion in his mind. "But I
would rather you would show yourself a good fellow. I like to see a
man take his liquor and hold it."

He sat down the emptied glass, and straightened back in the chair, his
eyes searching as ever.

"The fact is," he began doubtfully, "what you just said to me on deck
chanced to be of interest. You were not boasting?"

"I answered your questions truthfully, if that is what you mean."

"You are a navigator?"

"I was in command of ships for four years, Senor; naturally I know
navigation."

"Do you mind if I test you?"

"Not in the least; although it will have to be in English; as I do not