"Yes, I'll go," he said, but I heard every word. "I don't think our friend will take much persuading! You may be glad to marry a man, after all!"
He was half-way to the door when suspicion took hold of him. "How do I know that you won't be up to some trick?" he snarled; "try to loose him or something? Not that there would be any chance of escape if you did."
"I give you my word of honour," Connie answered, "or you can tie me up, too. That would be the best way. Fasten me in this chair so that I can't move."
Helzephron shook his head impatiently. Then the door banged and we were alone.
I began to speak at once. There was no time to waste.
"Dearest love of my heart, it is good-bye. We have managed to snatch these few moments for farewell."
Her face shone with love and courage as she smiled at me. "Is there no way, darling?"
"None. This is the end. We have fooled that devil for a minute. When he returns and finds out the end will come quickly. Now, listen...."
In a few sentences I told her exactly how matters stood, and of my certainty that Helzephron's course was almost run. Nor did I disguise from her that in any attack upon the Pirate Ship her own fate was sure.