"
"That will do," I answered, slipping the promised five-pound note into
the clerk's open palm, which closed over it convulsively. "Talked about
eavesdroppers, did he? Then he knows he's been shadowed. It may console
you to learn that you are instrumental in furthering the aims of justice
and unmasking a cruel and wicked conspiracy. Now, the next thing
is this: I want two berths at once by this very steamer--one for
myself--name of Cumberledge; one for a lady--name of Wade; and look
sharp about it."
The sandy-haired man did look sharp; and within three minutes we were
driving off with our tickets to Prince's Dock landing-stage.
We slipped on board unobtrusively, and instantly took refuge in our
respective staterooms till the steamer was well under way, and fairly
out of sight of Kolaba Island. Only after all chance of Sebastian's
avoiding us was gone for ever did we venture up on deck, on purpose to
confront him.
It was one of those delicious balmy evenings which one gets only at sea
and in the warmer latitudes. The sky was alive with myriads of twinkling
and palpitating stars, which seemed to come and go, like sparks on a
fire-back, as one gazed upward into the vast depths and tried to
place them.
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