He hesitated.
"—O'Donnell must be protected," he concluded.
"Against what?"
"Wagging tongues. I tell you his part must never be known. The Santissima Trinidad disappears, and with her the treasure and all her company. There's no other way."
"But if O'Donnell and his daughter survive to reach Europe there must be talk," I pointed out.
"True," he agreed; "but they will have their story ready. A shipwreck, perhaps, and they alone contriving to reach shore."
"Who beliefes dot?" Peter interjected contemptuously.
"What else can we do?" countered Murray.
"Take the treasure, if you must," I retorted; "but do not stain your hands with the blood of men who have not harmed you."
"I must slay some of them in all probability," returned my great-uncle. "What difference between that and slaying all?"