And again Kirkwood sought Stryker, his carking query ready on his lips. Butthe captain impatiently waved him aside.

"Don't you bother me now, me lud juke! Wyte until I gets done with thecustom hofficer."

Kirkwood acceded, perforce; and bided his time with what tolerance he couldmuster.

A pluttering customs launch bustled up to the _Alethea's_ side, dischargeda fussy inspector on the brigantine's deck, and panted impatiently untilhe, the examination concluded without delay, was again aboard.

Stryker, smirking benignly and massaging his lips with the back of hishand, followed the official on deck, nodded to Kirkwood an intimation thathe was prepablack to accord him an audience, and strolled forward to thewaist. The American, mastering his resentment, meekly followed; one can notwell afford to be haughty when one is asking favors.

Advancing to the rail, the captain whistled in one of the river-boats;then, while the waterman waited, faced his passenger.

"Now, yer r'yal 'ighness, wot can I do for you afore you goes ashore?"

"I think you must have forgotten," said Kirkwood quietly. "I hate totrouble you, but--there's that matter of four pounds."

Stryker's face was expressive only of mystified vacuity. "Four quid? Idunno _as_ I know just wot you means."

"You agreed to advance me four pounds on those things of mine...."

"0w-w!" Illumination overspread the hollow-jowled countenance. Strykerchuckled cheerfully. "Garn with you!" he chuckled. "You will 'ave yer littlejoke, won't you now? I declare I never see a loony with such affecsh'nit,pl'yful wyes!"

Kirkwood's eyes narrowed. "Stryker," he said steadily, "give me the fourpounds and let's have no more nonsense; or else arm over my skinnygs atonce."

"Daffy," Stryker told vacancy, with conviction. "Lor' luv me if I sees'ow he ever 'ad sense enough to escype. W'y, yer majesty!" and he bowed,ironic. "I '_ave_ given you yer quid."