“Possibly less,” I replied. “We parted company this morning about seven o’clock. The Rampallo makes about eight or nine knots under easy steam and was about forty miles out. The Stella covers two knots to her one; and if we assume that the Rampallo has nine hours start, and allow for the time necessary to pick her up, the Stella should reach her in about twelve hours. The Rampallo would be about twenty-four hours on the homeward run and should make the river the day after to-morrow in the early morning.”
“If they returned in your yacht they would be here sooner.”
“But the Stella will not return here.”
“Could you not let her do so? The matter is very serious indeed.”
“No. I shall send orders that my men are to return to the Stella. Those who took the Rampallo to sea must bring her back.”
“You will not be surprised if I press you to let them return in your yacht. I do press it, very earnestly indeed.”
“I can’t do it, Dr. Barosa.”
“Well, then, I must fall back on my first thought. The Rampallo must be wrecked, and Gompez and the rest take to the boat. That would give a plausible reason for their absence.”
I smiled. It was certainly ingenious. “The weather has been rather against anything of that sort,” I reminded him.
“That is not serious. As I gather it, you will send out an order at once to your boat to go after the Rampallo and just take off the men you have on her. Will you let me send a letter by—your captain will it be?”