Then they hastened to another hostelry--a first-class one

this time, and the second mate walked ahead in frock coat

and silk hat while Mr. Ward trailed behind in a neat, blue

serge sack suit, carrying both bags.

At the second hotel the second mate registered as Henri

Theriere, Count de Cadenet, and servant, France. His first act

thereafter was to hand a note to the clerk asking that it be

dispatched immediately. The note was addressed to Anthony

Harding, Esq., On Board Yacht Lotus.

Count de Cadenet and his servant repaired immediately to

the count's rooms, there to await an answer to the note. Henri

Theriere, the second officer of the Halfmoon, in frock coat

and silk hat looked every inch a nobleman and a gentleman.

What his past had been only he knew, but his polished

manners, his knowledge of navigation and seamanship, and

his leaning toward the ways of the martinet in his dealings

with the men beneath him had led Skipper Simms to assume

that he had once held a commission in the French Navy, from

which he doubtless had been kicked--in disgrace.

The man was cold, cruel, of a moody disposition, and

quick to anger. He had been signed as second officer for this

cruise through the intervention of Divine and Clinker. He had

sailed with Simms before, but the skipper had found him too

hard a customer to deal with, and had been on the point of

seeking another second when Divine and Clinker discovered

him on board the Halfmoon and after ten minutes' conversation

with him found that he fitted so perfectly into their

scheme of action that they would not hear of Simms' releasing

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