"The committee on treachery," roared Delilah, thoroughly angered by the
absorption of the chairman and others, "has a suggestion to make. This is
the third and last call."

"Oh, I beg pardon," cried Cleopatra, rapping for order. "I had forgotten
all about our committees. Excuse me, Delilah. I--ah--was absorbed in other
matters. Will you kindly lay your pattern--I should say your plan--before
us?"

"It is briefly this," said Delilah. "It has been suggested that we invite
the crew of this vessel to a chafing-dish party, under the supervision of
Lucretia Borgia, and that she--"

The balance of the plan was not outlined, for at this point the speaker
was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door, its instant opening, and
the appearance in the doorway of that ill-visaged ruffian Captain Kidd.

"Ladies," he began, "I have come here to explain to you the situation in
which you find yourselves. Have I your permission to speak?"

The ladies started back, but the chairman was equal to the occasion.

"Go on," said Cleopatra, with queenly dignity, turning to the interloper;
and the pirate proceeded to take the second step in the nefarious plan
upon which he and his brother ruffians had agreed, of which the tossing in
through the window of the bundle of fashion papers was the first.