"Eh—what's that!" the other ejaculated—"a most unusual thing for me!—who are you?"
"A friend," said Sir Edward.
"I caught your name as Parkington, did I not?"
"You did."
"Then I do not even know you, sir—how can you be a friend?"
"Is foreknowledge a prerequisite to friendship?" Sir Edward asked.
"Marry, yes; and even then it is a rare article," said the pirate with a sneer. "I am a victim of that same friendship, so you will permit me to doubt."
"Yes, I know; the faithless friend and the disloyal wife. I——"
"Who are you, sir! Come out of the shadow, if you are not afraid to show yourself, I cannot hurt you, now!"