“Immediately, or as soon as the tide will serve.”
“The tide will serve in half an hour, sir.”
“Can she be got ready?”
“For what port, sir?”
“St. Aubins.”
The master rubbed his forehead and looked down at his shoes, as if in deep cogitation.
“My friend, while you are deliberating, time is flying,” said the General impatiently.
“She can be got ready fast enough, sir. It isn’t that. Why, sir, you are strangers to us, and we don’t know anything of what you are in such a hurry for.”
“We go to arrest a party, and prevent a duel, if you must know!” exclaimed the General, impatiently disregarding the signals of the detective, who would have cautioned him.
“Oh! beg pardon, sir; but this is—is going to cost a pretty penny—and——”