"I thought it would give such pleasure to the many readers of the Journal, all of whom are hungering for news of the bravest and most renowned of privateers."
"You are very complimentary, I am sure, but this indiscretion on your part has annoyed me greatly."
"In that case your modesty will certainly suffer very much from the article in to-day's paper."
"What article? Let me tell you once for all—"
"Don't be alarmed, my dear captain. It merely described how the brave Captain l'Endurci conducted an attack, how like a tiger he fought, etc. It said nothing in relation to his private life."
"This is unbearable," said Cloarek, impatiently, though he was in reality greatly relieved.
"I was certainly actuated by no evil motive, in any event; besides, as Segoffin says, there is no undoing that which is done, or words to that effect."
"It is useless to discuss the matter further. You came here to ask me to put to sea again. I shall do nothing of the kind. That is the end of it."
"But it is not the end of it by any means, my dear captain. Just give me your attention for a moment. A three-master belonging to the East India Company, with two million francs in bullion, will soon be along. Two million francs, do you hear?"
"If she had ten millions aboard it would make no difference to me. I shall not put to sea again. I have said it, and I mean it."