"I think——"
But I had risen and had sprung out upon the balcony. Not because I cared what I said myself, but because I did not want this poor fellow to get into trouble through me. The attitude of the servant was that of a listener, and I was upon him before he could turn round.
"This place is like a box of surprises," said I, as I seized the listener. I dragged him into the room, and, striking a light, I found that I had the Minion again within my grasp.
I lighted the lamp and held it under his chin for want of a better mode of torture.
"You young devil!" said I, "so it's you again, set to spy upon me, of course! They seem to have stained you for good this time. That dye will never rub off." At this the Minion lifted up his voice and howled.
"Tell me where the Captain is," said I, holding the lamp close under his snub nose.
"Dead!" roared the Minion, drawing suddenly away from the flame.
"Of course, I know you are lying," said I. "I suppose the Bo's'n and the Smith, too, are dead."
The Minion nodded his head and added, "Lady, too."
I gave his nose a final scorch and ran him through the open door, took him out, and dropped him off the veranda next to mine. I did not care if I killed him. Unfortunately for those whom the Minion lived to plague, I heard him catch among the vines as he descended, and, after a rather rough fall, get up and limp off.