“And throw you overboard ten miles from shore.”
“I can swim.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Lupin, with a laugh. “Excuse me, master ... and let us finish. You will agree that I must take the measures necessary to protect myself and my friends.”
“Certainly; but they will be useless.”
“And yet you do not wish me to take them.”
“It is your duty.”
“Very well, then.”
Lupin opened the door and called the captain and two sailors. The latter seized the Englishman, bound him hand and foot, and tied him to the captain’s bunk.
“That will do,” said Lupin. “It was only on account of your obstinacy and the unusual gravity of the situation, that I ventured to offer you this indignity.”
The sailors retired. Lupin said to the captain: