"But——"
"Come, come, get rid of this silly fancy, old friend."
"At least," insisted the doctor, "do me the favour to communicate with the consul."
"Indeed, I shall do nothing of the kind. You can see the British consul if you like, and a rare laugh he'll enjoy at your expense when he sees how you have been duped by this young scoundrel."
"Ahem!"
Well, the doctor did not communicate with the consul after this, and Jack Harkaway waited with his companions, Mole and the "wet blanket," Harry Girdwood, and the two faithful darkeys, and waited in vain.
Waited until they grew heart-sick with hope deferred.
CHAPTER XCVIII.
JOE DEERING AT HOME AGAIN—ON THE LOOKOUT—NEWS AT LAST—JOVIAL CAPTAIN ROBINSON IN DANGER.