As Francis Tredegar spoke the guard came up and unlocked the door, and released the prisoners.
“A quarter to eleven! Come, Francis, hurry—we have not a moment to lose if we would catch the boat,” exclaimed Alexander, flying down the platform and beckoning a cab from the stand.
Francis Tredegar and Alick’s valet hurried after him.
“To the St. Aubins steamboat, as fast as you can go,” was the order Alexander gave to the cabman, who stood hat in hand holding the door open.
The man closed the door upon the impatient party, mounted his seat, and started his horses.
They were driven rapidly down to the wharf, where the St. Aubins steamer lay getting up her steam. They got out, paid the cab, and passed on into the boat.
“Five minutes to eleven—we have just saved ourselves. But that dastard has not made his appearance yet! Is it possible that he will back out at the last moment? If he does, I will post him for a coward all over Europe!” muttered Alexander, frowning.
“There he comes now!” exclaimed Francis, as a carriage rattled rapidly down towards the boat.
And there he was, sure enough. It was not likely that the excitable Austrian was going to lag behind on such an adventure as this.
Prince Ernest and his suite stepped upon deck just one minute and a half before the gang-plank was withdrawn, the signal-gun fired, and the steamer started.