“Patience,” returned Milo. “Do ye know of anything of untold worth — my queen has that which will buy it? Have ye seen a thing of peerless beauty — in my queen’s house are many of its peers! Patience!”

No word more would the giant utter. Like a bronze statue he stood erect, guiding the cutter to a small landing with a silent gesture. And as the boat swept alongside and the yachtsmen began to experience the thrill of near expectancy, Pearse caught sight of a knot of men loitering on the nearby slopes, and their appearance startled him.

“Good Lord, look at those piratical ruffians!” he cried.

His companions started, and doubt came into their faces. Then Pascherette arose from her seat and pressed near