"There are two or three things which your friend didn't tell you, Obadiah Price!" Nathaniel's eyes glittered dangerously.
"When I left ship this morning I gave explicit orders to Casey, my mate." He gazed steadily into the old man's unflinching eyes.
"I said something like this: 'Casey, I'm going to see Strang before I come back.

If he's willing to settle for five thousand, we'll call it off.

And if he isn't--why, we'll stand out there a mile and blow St.
James into hell! And if I don't come back by to-morrow at sundown, Casey, you take command and blow it to hell without me!' So, Obadiah Price, if there's treachery--" The old man clutched at his hands with insane fierceness.
"There will be no treachery, Nat, I swear to God there will be no treachery! Come, we will go--" Still Captain Plum hesitated.
"Who are you?
Whom am I to follow ?" "A member of our holy Council of Twelve, Nat, and lord high treasurer of His Majesty, King Strang!" Before Captain Plum could recover from the surprise of this whispered announcement the little old man had freed himself and was pattering swiftly through the darkness of the next room.

The master of the _Typhoon_ followed close behind him.

Outside the councilor hesitated for a moment, as if debating which route to take, and then with a prodigious wink at Captain Plum and a throatful of his inimitable chuckles, chose the path down which his startled visitor of a short time before had fled.