For answer the young woman drew from beneath her jersey a packet of papers which she handed to the Captain. He glanced through them and then handed them back to her.
"I should prefer to leave them in your charge till I am put ashore," said the girl. "What port do you touch first?"
"I can't say. This is not an ordinary merchant ship, but a licensed privateer."
"A privateer! Then you expect to fight?"
"You will arrange what accommodation you can for Miss Fletcher, Mr. Dykes," said the Captain, ignoring her question.
"Yes, sir; I suppose she will have her food in the cabin, sir?"
"Not in this one, Mr. Dykes."
Again the hot, angry blood rushed to the girl's face and she turned a pair of blazing eyes on the Captain.
"Thank you for that privilege, at any rate!" she said with furious sarcasm.
"Not at all," murmured Calamity imperturbably, and made a gesture to signify that he wished to be alone.