When he who had beaten them unmasked himself, the old gray buccaneer was to treat for generous terms.

With the bankrupt Storri out, there remained but seven to consider; the old gray buccaneer was to offer a round ransom of seven millions of dollars, or one million for each.

In similar fashion beaten knights compounded in the dusty lists of Ashby eight hundred years ago; the amount of ransom that Ashby day was less, but the principle throughout the centuries has remained unshaken and unchanged.
After four days of wound-nursing, Storri went to the San Reve.

He found that lady of the gray-green eyes sitting sullen and silent, wrapped in resentful anger like a witch's cloak.

One thing in his favor; the San Reve had not heard of his return, and supposed him just back from New York.
Storri did his best to be on cheerful terms with the San Reve; he said his business was now accomplished and he would see her every day.