pro quo. "Before we go any further, I think I may take it upon
myself to let you into the Marquis's confidence. It is about an
inheritance, Captain. A great inheritance and--well, that young
fellow may well be the man. He may be born to greater things than a
seafaring life, Captain."

"I don't want any marquis to tell me that," answered Clubbe, with
his slow judicial smile. "For I've brought him up since the cradle.
He's been at sea with me in fair weather and foul--and he is not the
same as us."



CHAPTER VII. ON THE SCENT



Dormer Colville attached so much importance to the captain's grave
jest that he interpreted it at once to Monsieur de Gemosac.

"Captain Clubbe," he said, "tells us that he does not need to be
informed that this Loo Barebone is the man we seek. He has long
known it."

Which was a near enough rendering, perhaps, to pass muster in the
hearing of two persons imperfectly acquainted with the languages so
translated. Then, turning again to the sailor, he continued:

"Monsieur de Gemosac would naturally wish to know whether there were
papers or any other means of identification found on the woman or