"How long am I to be kept here?" asked Brandon.
"Only a day or two, I believe. It is the purpose of Captain Jamison to carry you to Annapolis for trial."
"And, in the meantime, you will try for the key?"
"I shall try for the key before I leave the ship," said Parkington. "What troubles me, is an excuse to come back to you when I have it.... Brandon, how long have you been doing—this?"
"You mean, how long have I been sailing under the Jolly Roger? Four years, this spring. It was down in Havana. I fell in with a Captain Sparks. From cards to a duel was an easy transition. I killed Sparks, and, for want of something better to do, I seized his ship, put my sword through his mate—who questioned my authority—and ruled in his stead."
"And took the soubriquet of Long-Sword."
"The men gave me the name for want of a better. My rapier struck them as of unusual length."
"And of unusual strength," said Parkington, "as they, doubtless, were made to realize."
"Yes, I suppose so—they were a trifle unruly, at first, and resented discipline. They came to it, however," and he smiled faintly. "It is a long story, De Lysle, a long story!—too long to tell at this time. I am done with the business, now. I should have quit a year ago. I had made enough, for the present, and it is poor sport, anyway—there is too much blood-letting in it. If I get out of this fix, Long-Sword vanishes forever. I will go home, and live decently. You would better follow my example, De Lysle."
"Not at present, thank you; may be, not at all."