on the smooth surface, though they rose and fell gently to the flat
ocean swell. They were running up the coast about four miles out,
and except for the Girondin, now almost hull down to the north-west,
they had the sea to themselves. It was hot enough to make the
breeze caused by the launch's progress pleasantly cool, and both men
lay smoking on the deck, lazily watching the water and enjoying the
easy motion. Hilliard had made the wheel fast, and reached up every
now and then to give it a slight turn.

"Jolly, I call this," he exclaimed, as he lay down again after one
of these interruptions. "Jolly sun, jolly sea, jolly everything,
isn't it?"

"Rather. Even a landlubber like me can appreciate it. But you
don't often have it like this, I bet."

"Oh, I don't know," Hilliard answered absently, and then, swinging
round and facing his friend, he went on:

"I say, Merriman, I've something to tell you that will interest you,
but I'm afraid it won't please you."

Merriman laughed contentedly.

"You arouse my curiosity anyway," he declared. "Get on and let's
hear it."

Hilliard answered quietly, but he felt excitement arising in him
as he thought of the disclosure he was about to make.