The signal officer read out Admiral Rojestvensky’s order:
“The fleet will proceed to Libau to-day en route to the East. Anchors will be weighed at noon. By order of the Czar.”
M. Auguste had failed me at last!
With the frightful boasts of Vassileffsky still ringing in my ears, I felt that I must make one effort to stay its departure.
“This news compels me to return to Petersburg immediately,” I told the Captain. “Have the goodness to put me ashore at once.”
For a moment or two the Russian made no answer. I glanced at him curiously.
His face had gone suddenly livid. His limbs were trembling. He gave me the dull look of a man stupefied by fear.
“The Japanese!” he ejaculated in a thick voice.
I seized him by the arm.