"Very well," she said. "But the baggage?"
"We cannot wait for that—it would be too dangerous. I will return for it as soon as the conference is over." His eyes were burning with excitement, his lips twitching with nervousness. "I am glad that the hour is at hand," he added. "I feel that I could not endure a longer delay—these hours of suspense are dangerous for me."
Kasia laid a calming hand upon his arm.
"I know, father," she said. "You must not permit yourself to dwell upon it so. Let us go on deck again and watch the landing."
"No; we are to wait here," said her father. "These last moments we must not be seen," and he sat gnawing feverishly at his fingers.
The long minutes drifted by. They could hear the rush of feet and chatter of voices on the deck outside, then excited cries of recognition and greeting, as the boat swung into the dock, and finally the clatter of the gangplank as it was run into place. Almost at once there came a tap at the door. Vard sprang to open it and found Pachmann and the Prince outside.
"You are ready?" asked the former.
"Yes," and Kasia and her father stepped out upon the deck.
"You have your landing-checks? Good. Then we will start."
They joined the long line moving down the gangplank.