"But I beg you to bear in mind that I did not write the commendatory expressions in the paper." "But they are as true as the holy Gospels!" exclaimed Flint, springing out of his chair in the heat of the excitement which the new reading of the orders produced in his mind.

"But I thought you had read the sealed orders to us before, Captain Passford." "I read but a very small part of them before; and as I had to improvise the greater part of what I read, or rather did not read, but simply uttered, the language was not all well chosen," replied Christy, laughing in spite of all his attempts to maintain his dignity.

"The fact is, Mr.Flint, I had too many listeners when I read the paper before." "There was no one in the cabin but Mr.Baskirk and myself, and Dave had been stationed at the door; or at least he was there, for he beckoned you out into the gangway just as you were beginning to read the orders," argued Flint.

"Possibly I should have understood the first reading better if I had not seen for myself that you had taken all precautions against any listener.

You went out when Dave called you; but you were not gone half a minute; and that was not long enough for the steward to spin any long yarn." "But it was long enough for Dave to tell me that Pink Mulgrum was under my berth, with the state room door open," replied Christy.
"Just so; I comprehend the whole matter now," said Flint, joining the captain in the laugh.
"Now you know what my instructions are, gentlemen," continued the commander, "and I hope and believe that Mr.Lillyworth and his right hand man do not know them.