"The undersigned hereby promises not to divulge the vessel's
destination or mission, should either, or both, become known to him;
not to give any information which may lead to inquiry being made by
others as to her destination or mission, and not to make any statement,
in any form whatsoever, as to the success or otherwise of the voyage at
its conclusion, unless at the request of the said Baron Franz von
Kerber. The penalty for any infringement of this clause, of which Baron
Franz von Kerber shall be the judge, shall be dismissal, without any
indemnity or payment of the special bonus hereinafter recited."

Then followed the salary clause, and a stipulation as to the ten per
cent share of the gross profits. The Baron's promises could not have
been phrased in more straightforward style.

"Give me a pen," said Royson, placing the paper on a blotting pad.

There was an unconscious masterfulness in his voice and manner which
seemed to startle von Kerber. In very truth, the younger man was
overjoyed at the astounding turn taken by his fortunes. The restraint
he had imposed on himself earlier was gone. He wanted to wring the
Baron's hand and hail him as his best friend. Perhaps the other deemed
this attitude a trifle too free and easy in view of the relations that
would exist between them in the near future.

"You will find a pen on the ink-stand," said he, quietly, stooping,
over some papers on a corner of the table. Then he added, apparently as
an afterthought:

"Don't forget your name, Mr. King."