him.

Ward had little use for the Frenchman, whose haughty

manner and condescending airs grated on the sensibilities of

the uncouth and boorish first officer. The duty which necessitated

him acting in the capacity of Theriere's servant was

about as distasteful to him as anything could be, and only

served to add to his hatred for the inferior, who, in the

bottom of his heart, he knew to be in every way, except upon

the roster of the Halfmoon, his superior; but money can work

wonders, and Divine's promise that the officers and crew of

the Halfmoon would have a cool million United States dollars

to divide among them in case of the success of the venture

had quite effectually overcome any dislike which Mr. Ward

had felt for this particular phase of his duty.

The two officers sat in silence in their room at the hotel

awaiting an answer to the note they had dispatched to Anthony

Harding, Esq. The parts they were to act had been

carefully rehearsed on board the Halfmoon many times. Each

was occupied with his own thoughts, and as they had nothing

in common outside the present rascality that had brought

them together, and as that subject was one not well to discuss

more than necessary, there seemed no call for conversation.

On board the yacht in the harbor preparations were being

made to land a small party that contemplated a motor trip up

the Nuuanu Valley when a small boat drew alongside, and a

messenger from the hotel handed a sealed note to one of the

sailors.

From the deck of the Halfmoon Skipper Simms witnessed

the transaction, smiling inwardly. Billy Byrne also saw it, but

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