The outlaw gave a start as he heard his true name mentioned, but quickly recovered his assurance.
"The señor is very intelligent," he said.
"At any rate, the señor is not demented," retorted Cumberford, grimly. "Why did you venture to place yourself in our power, Ramon Ganza, and then threaten us as you have done?"
"I came under flag of truce."
"And you think, on that account, we will let you go again, to carry out your cowardly designs?"
"I am certain of that. Before I came I took care to protect myself."
"In what way?"
He looked at his watch, a huge jewelled affair.
"Underneath your ship," said he quietly, "is anchored a mine of very much power. It lies under that part which is in the water—I think just below the place where we now sit. If I do not depart from here in safety within fifty minutes from now, my men will kindly explode this mine and blow us all to—well, where we go. The poor ship, alas, will be destroyed with us."
"Would your men execute such an absurd order?" asked Cumberford sneeringly.