“We may when the boat moves up,” Quest replied. “The Professor went off on the first barge. Here he is, coming back.”
A little boat had shot out from the docks, manned by a couple of Arabs. They could see the Professor seated in the stern. He was poring over a small document which he held in his hand. He waved to them excitedly.
“He’s got news!” Quest muttered.
With much shouting the boat was brought to the side of the barge. The Professor was hauled up. He stumbled blindly across towards the gangway and came up the steps with amazing speed. He came straight to Quest and Lenora and gripped the former by the arm.
“Look!” he cried. “Look!”
He held out a card. Quest read it aloud:—
“There is not one amongst you with the wit of a Mongar child. Good-bye!”
“The Hands!”
“Where did you get it?” Quest demanded.
“That’s the point—the whole point!” the Professor exclaimed excitedly. “He’s done us! He’s landed! That paper was pushed into my hand by a tall Arab, who mumbled something and hurried off across the docks. On the landing-stage, mind!”
The Captain came and put his head out of the door.