For a few strenuous minutes we toiled at the sweeps till the Dulcibella was berthed ahead of the steamer, in deeper water. Meanwhile I had whispered a few facts.

“How soon can you get under way?” I asked.

“Ten minutes.”

“When’s daylight?”

“Sunrise about seven, first dawn about five. Where are we bound?”

“Holland, or England.”

“Are they invading it now?” said Davies, calmly.

“No, only rehearsing!” I laughed, wildly.

“Then we can wait.”

“We can wait exactly an hour and a half. Come ashore and knock up Dollmann; we must denounce him, and get them both aboard; it’s now or never. Holy Saints! man, not as you are!” (He was in pyjamas.) “Sea clothes!”