Cleopatra chuckled.  “Brother!  Brother’s good,” she said.

“Well, that’s what he is,” retorted Elizabeth, quickly.  “I promised to be a sister to him, and I’m going to keep my word.  That’s the kind of a queen I am.  I was about to remark,” Elizabeth added, turning to the captain, “that my brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, never even hinted at any such plan, and usually he asked my advice in matters of so great importance.”

“That is easily accounted for, madame,” retorted Kidd.  “Sir Walter intended this as a little surprise for you, that is all.  The arrangements were all placed in his hands, and it was he who bound us all to secrecy.  None of the ladies were to be informed of it.”

“It does not sound altogether plausible,” interposed Portia.  “If you ladies do not object, I should like to cross-examine this—­ah—­gentleman.”

Kidd paled visibly.  He was not prepared for any such trial; however, he put as good a face on the matter as he could, and announced his willingness to answer any questions that he might be asked.

[Illustration:  CAPTAIN KIDD CONSENTS TO BE CROSS-EXAMINED BY PORTIA]

“Shall we put him under oath?” asked Cleopatra.

“As you please, ladies,” said the pirate.  “A pirate’s word is as good as his bond; but I’ll take an oath if you choose—­a half-dozen of ’em, if need be.”

“I fancy we can get along without that,” said Portia.  “Now, Captain Kidd, who first proposed this plan?”

“Socrates,” said Kidd, unblushingly, with a sly glance at Xanthippe.

“What?” cried Xanthippe.  “My husband propose anything that would contribute to my pleasure or intellectual advancement?  Bah!  Your story is transparently false at the outset.”

“Nevertheless,” said Kidd, “the scheme was proposed by Socrates.  He said a trip of that kind for Xanthippe would be very restful and health-giving.”

“For me?” cried Xanthippe, sceptically.

“No, madame, for him,” retorted Kidd.

“Ah—­ho-ho!  That’s the way of it, eh?” said Xanthippe, flushing to the roots of her hair.  “Very likely.  You—­ah—­you will excuse my doubting your word, Captain Kidd, a moment since.  I withdraw my remark, and in order to make fullest reparation, I beg to assure these ladies that I am now perfectly convinced that you are telling the truth.  That last observation is just like my husband, and when I get back home again, if I ever do, well—­ha, ha!—­we’ll have a merry time, that’s all.”

“And what was—­ah—­Bassanio’s connection with this affair?” added Portia, hesitatingly.

“He was not informed of it,” said Kidd, archly.  “I am not acquainted with Bassanio, my lady, but I overheard Sir Walter enjoining upon the others the absolute necessity of keeping the whole affair from Bassanio, because he was afraid he would not consent to it.  ’Bassanio has a most beautiful wife, gentlemen,’ said Sir Walter, ’and he wouldn’t think of parting with