“Not just at that moment; but later—before he went away—I say, you know, it’s a devilish mean thing for me to say, Kane.”
“Say it all the same. Did he remind you of me, perhaps?”
“No; but he did remind me of that chap you brought aboard the Harkaway the other evening at Newport.”
“Do you mean Count Cadillac?”
“Yes, Kane, I mean the count. I suppose he is here with you, is he not?”
“Yes. He has gone ashore with the ladies just at present. But never mind all that. Go ahead with your affair.”
“I hope you will pardon me for——”
“Oh, bosh! We’ve been through all that. The count knows all about it, too. He—the pirate, I mean—reminded us of the count, too. The count saw it himself. That was why I asked you the question. He won’t be offended. Go on with your yarn.”
“Well, as I was saying, he asked me if I was Burton, and I replied that I was. Then he made me a bow that would have made Harry Lehr green with envy, and replied:
“‘Permit me to introduce myself. I am Captain Sparkle, of the pirate cruiser Shadow. I will have to trouble you to the extent of collecting such valuables and cash as you may happen to have aboard, and I trust you will understand that this is no joke; in fact, that I am very much in earnest.’