«You have not told us how. You must tell us how,» the Governor interrupted him.
Don Pedro waved a hand disdainfully. «It is no great matter, and I soon weary of talking of myself. But … if you insist … some other time. At present I am to tell you of Rodrigo. He remains a prisoner in the hands of Captain Blood. But do not be unduly alarmed.»
There was need for his reassuring tone. Dona Hernanda, who had been hanging on his words, had turned deathly white.
«Do not be alarmed. Rodrigo is in good health, and his life is safe. Also, from my own experience, I know that this Blood, infamous pirate though he be, is not without chivalrous ideals, and, piracy apart, he is a man of honour.»
«Piracy apart?» Laughter exploded from Don Jayme. «On my soul, that's humorous! You deal in paradox, Don Pedro. Eh, Frey Alonso?»
The lean friar smiled mechanically. Dona Hernanda, pale and piteous, suffered in silence the interruption. Don Pedro frowned.
«The paradox is not in me, but in Captain Blood. An indemoniated robber, yet he practises no wanton cruelty, and he keeps his word. Therefore, I say you need have no apprehension on the score of Don Rodrigo's fate. His ransom has been agreed between himself and Captain Blood, and I have undertaken to procure it. Meanwhile, he is well and courteously entreated, and, indeed, a sort of friendship has come to exist between himself and his pirate captor.»
«Faith, that I can believe,» cried the Governor, whilst Dona Hernanda sank back in her chair with a sigh of relief. «Rodrigo was ever ready to consort with rogues. Was he not, Hernanda?»
«I …» She bridled indignantly; then curbed herself. «I never observed it.»
«You never observed it! I ask myself have you ever observed anything. Well, well, and so Rodrigo's to be ransomed. At what is his ransom fixed?»