Yet no dismay nor fear showed in his face.

He sat there, regarding me with an earnest curiosity.

At last he spoke.
"You were deluding me all the time ?" he asked.
"Even so," said I, with an inclination of my head.
"You did not mean to take my offer ?" "Since I am a gentleman, I did not." "I also am accounted a gentleman, sir." "Nay, I took you for a prince," said I.
He made me no answer, but, looking round him again, observed: "The ship must be near.

But for this cursed fog she would be in sight." "It's well for us she isn't," I said.
"Why, sir ?" he asked brusquely.
"If she were, there's the pistol for the lady, and this sword here for you and me," said I coolly.

For a man may contrive to speak coolly, though his bearing be a lie and his heart beat quick.
"You daren't," he cried in amazement.
"I should be unwilling," I conceded.
For an instant there was silence.