“Two thousand pounds? I wish you had let me go back to Guernsey in the boat that brought the message.”
“I never thought of that,” said Captain Welfare.
“Naturally. We didn’t know what the message was. It wouldn’t have done, anyhow. No, it’s far better as it is. The only thing now is to have as good a time as we can. So here’s luck!”
“And I hope you won’t feel as if any constraint was put on you, sir,” said Captain Welfare with profound solemnity.
Edmund and I both laughed, and in the laugh was my capitulation.
“I can’t feel that, Captain Welfare, as long as you do nothing to prevent me swimming home!”
Captain Welfare held out his hand, and took mine gravely.
“Mr. Davoren,” he said, “I wouldn’t have had this happen for a great deal. I don’t know how to thank you for taking it as you do, sir; it’s a great relief.”
“That’s all right,” said Edmund; “and now we’ll drink prosperity to the trip, and may nothing cheat the gallows of Jakoub.”