"I won't question your motives," remarked Broadmayne imperturbably. "But I take it you have no Admiralty warrant to act as a privateer in peacetime? Then, as I said before, you must be a pirate. Rather interesting, what? I was under the impression that gentlemen of that type were as extinct as the dodo."

"Who and what are you, Mr. Broadmayne?" demanded Captain Cain.

"Sub-lieutenant, Royal Navy."

"You are—or were?"

"Am," declared Broadmayne, with a tone that indicated he was proud of his profession.

A look of disappointment flitted across the face of the pirate captain.

"Then what were you doing on a private yacht?"

The Sub told him.

"Vyse, did you say?" interrupted Captain Cain. "Vyse? Any relation to the north-country magnate of that name?"

"Son," replied Broadmayne. The next instant he felt angry with himself for having divulged that part.