My great-uncle took snuff, tapping the box thoughtfully after he had dusted the powder in his nostrils.
"To be strictly honest with you, gentlemen," he remarked at last, "I am disposed to return to Flint because I foresee a possibility of my desiring to sacrifice him to cover our tracks. I have no definite plan in mind, but a situation might shape itself in which it would be desirable to supply a fugitive for Spaniard, Frenchman and Englishman to chase. I should vastly prefer—as I am sure you would, too—that the fugitive be the Walrus and not the James. Also, until that situation arises, the Rendezvous is the safest hiding-place I know this side of Africa."
O'Donnell eyed him with involuntary respect.
"I should hate to have ye set on my track, Murray!" he exclaimed. "Is not Flint your friend?"
My great-uncle considered this question.
"Scarcely my friend," he decided. "Say, rather, associate. And the fellow is troublesome occasionally. I should have no hesitation in sacrificing him to secure the stake we play for."
"And there is no real feeling of loyalty in your heart!" I gibed. "'Tis simply a question of using him to your best advantage."
"Yes and no, Robert," he retorted coolly. "As you grow older you will learn that as naught is wholly bad neither is it wholly good."
A step clumped in the companionway, and Martin stuck his grizzled head in the cabin.
"Last o' the —— —— ruddy-boys is comin' aboard, sir," he said. "What course will ye set?"