"Unrecognisable. I should not know you anywhere. You are clever; even your accent is changed."
"That is always the first thing to be thought of," said Pierre Durand; "and now what is the nature of the restitution?"
"We are going," replied the outlaw, with a smile, "to restore a young girl to her friends and relatives."
"A young girl?" cried Durand.
"Yes—a most charming and interesting maiden, whom I captured the other day. I can no longer resist her tender sorrow."
"Bah!" said the young sailor, with a grin.
"I swear to you, upon my honour," cried the outlaw, warmly, "that she has been treated with the most profound respect and even tenderness."
"Spoken like an honest man," said the captain, warmly. "But may I ask with what object you took her away?"
"I had a motive, which I fear me exists no longer. I even fear," he said, gloomily, "I have entered upon a bad speculation. But it is useless to discuss the matter anymore. Soon there shall be no mysteries for you. Be seated again."
"Why?" asked the captain, puzzled at all these mysteries.