‘It was not,’ said he. I thought I saw the slightest of smiles glimmering between beard and moustache.
‘But now that you’re in command, it’s different?’
‘It is undoubtedly different now,’ he admitted.
‘Shall we talk in your cabin?’
‘By all means;’ and he led the way.
When we reached the cabin, I gave him a short sketch of what had happened since Mouraki’s arrival. He was already informed as to the events before that date. He heard me with unmoved face. At last I came to my attempted escape with Phroso by the secret passage and to Constantine’s attack.
‘That fellow was a villain,’ he observed.
‘Yes,’ said I. ‘Read those.’ And I handed him the printed slips, adding, ‘I suppose he sent these by fishing-boats to Rhodes, first to pave the way, and finally to account for my disappearance.’
‘I must congratulate you on a lucky escape, my lord.’
‘You have more than that to congratulate me on, captain. Your launch seems ready for a voyage.’