"Why, yes, your Highness, my excuse is in one of the after cabins under a steady guard."
"Fetch it up under the moonlight here."
The black-avised Inquisitor was brought on deck. "You!" said Rupert, and set his lips tight.
"The tables appear to be turned," said the fellow boldly. "I suppose you will use your power now and torture me."
"That is not my way," said Rupert. "But I am apt to return kind for kind, and I have in memory that you condemned me to the flames, and that it was not your fault I did not suffer in them."
"I regretted then and regret still you were not burnt. I took you for a heretic, and it seems you are a pirate also."
"It seems to me that I am Rupert Palatine, and acting very naturally. My man, next time you gather victims for your bloody Inquisition, see that you do not fly at too high game. If you were a gentleman, I would set you free with a ransom. But I see you are a common fellow, and need a ruder lesson. Put down your helm," he ordered to the steersman, and to the sail-trimmers he said, "Lay her to." And then he gave further commands which pleased all hands mightily. The galley was brought alongside and set thoroughly on fire, and the black-avised Inquisitor was put down on to her decks with his wrists once more set free. The warps were cast off and the carrack once more got under weigh. Rupert hailed the Inquisitor from the poop.
"You will find the keys of the slaves' shackles on their proper nail inside the coach, and you may set your rowers adrift as soon as you please. Then I would counsel you to make for the harbour, which you can do with ease before the fire scorches you very deeply. But remember from this night's work that fire burns, that men who have had you in their power could still set you free again unharmed, and be generous to the next poor wretches that come within the grip of your Inquisition."
The black-avised man took off his hat and bowed. "I shall pray nightly to heaven, Señor, that I may meet you once again," said he, and then turned to get the keys of the rowers' shackles.
"I'd like to bet tha' that tha'st trouble with yon dark chap yet," said Simpson thoughtfully. "It's allus best to scrag these Jack-Spaniards whilst there's t' chance."