Roderic still preserved his temper—perhaps the occasion would presently come when he could repay these insults with interest—it might be even closer than Jerome suspected, but for the present his policy was to keep the peace just so long as it could be done with honor.
"You seem to imagine I have been on board during the whole voyage?" he remarked.
"How could it be otherwise?" demanded Jerome, looking for some secret trap.
"Because as you happen to know, I was left behind in Dublin when the Sterling Castle left the harbor at Kingstown—because I have come on board to-night with Captain Beven, who so royally entertained you in the cabin just now, at the expense of myself and my Cousin Cleo, the owner of the steam yacht Beven commands. As to my motive in boarding your boat, I am not ashamed to admit it to you, sir—it was to see and converse with this lady, who holds the first place in my heart, and whom God willing, I expect some day to claim as my wife. That is all, sir."
It should have been enough.
Had Jerome been as sensible in this game as he had proven himself in various others he must have realized that this determined act of Roderic took him once and for all out of the chase for the Fairfax millions and virtually left the field to him.
But something had occurred to make a change in the schemer's plan of campaign—he was not as hot after those millions just now as he had been in the past.
Truth to tell a face had bewitched him and even the elegant Don Juan found his Waterloo in the daughter of Porto Rico—yes, he had to admit the stinging fact that after playing at love all these years he was now actually smitten.
"You are mistaken, Owen, that is not all. I have serious doubts concerning the truth of your story—I rather imagine you are bent on killing two birds with one stone, and intended learning all about this boat—that your seeking an audience with the senorita"—bowing in her direction—"was but an afterthought. However, it does not matter. I have an unpleasant duty to perform."
"Indeed! What might that be?"