“I shall instruct the guards to arrest them, and compel them to unmask and submit to a search, whenever they attempt to leave the boat.”
Ingomar and Captain Quitman then walked away, followed by the old gentleman with the white whiskers.
“Well, Scottie, I’ll give you a nickel for your thoughts.”
“Keep your nickel; and you had better not seek to know my thoughts just now, for they are not of a very pleasant nature. However, one idea has found its way into my scanty brain, which I have no objection to your knowing.”
“Let me have it, pray; any little idea of yours would be acceptable to me.”
“The black domino is a humbug, and her guardian is an old fool; there now, you have got at least one idea; do what you please with it.”
“Yes, and a very bright little idea it is, too; something of the same sort has been knocking for admission at the back door of my brain-pan for some time.”
“Ah, indeed! I hope it did not knock very hard.”
“Scottie, dear, don’t cut so deep, pray.”
“Don’t call me ‘Scottie, dear,’ if you please; I am tired of it. It is time for the queen’s party to re-assemble, and I want Ingomar to hurry through with his story, because when that is done the masks must all be laid aside.”