The Governor hesitated but for a single moment, while he gave the man before him a searching glance, then said:—
"Even then, be you whom you may, if you are able and willing to pilot our ships and reveal the rendezvous of Marti and his followers, you shall be rewarded and pardoned according to the published card."
"Excellency, I think that I know your character well enough to fully trust these words, else I should not have ventured here."
"Speak, then, and without further delay. My time is precious," continued the Governor with manifest impatience, and half rising from his seat.
"It is well. I will speak without further parley. The man for whom you have offered the largest reward—ay, dead or alive—is before you!"
"And you are"—
"Captain Marti!"
Tacon had not expected this, but supposed himself talking to some lieutenant of the famous outlaw, and though no coward he instinctively cast his eyes towards a brace of pistols that lay within reach of his right hand. This was but for a moment; yet the motion was not unobserved by his visitor, who, stepping forward, drew a couple of similar weapons from his own person and laid them quietly on the table, saying:—
"I have no further use for these; it is to be diplomacy for the future, not fighting."
"That is well," responded the Governor; and after a few moments of thought he continued: "I shall keep my promise, be assured of that, provided you faithfully perform your part, notwithstanding the law demands your immediate punishment. For good reasons, as well as to secure your faithfulness, you must remain under guard," he added.