“We must go ashore in a boat,” Sarto said. “I have just heard the captain say that the wharves are so full that he may not be able to take the vessel alongside for a couple of hours.”
“Are you going anywhere in particular when you land?” Frank asked.
“We all belong to Genoa, and have friends here. Why do you ask?”
“Could you spare me an hour of your time to-day? I should not ask you, but it is rather important.”
“Certainly; we are all at your service,” Rubini said in some surprise. “At what hour shall we meet you, and where?”
“I am going to the Hotel Europa. Any time will suit me, so that it is a couple of hours before dusk. I will tell you what it is when you meet me; it is better not to speak of it here.”
The young men consulted together. “We will go to our friends,” Rubini said, “take our things there and spend an hour, and will call upon you, if convenient, at eleven o’clock.”
“Thank you; and you will see, when I have explained my reason for troubling you, that I have not done so wantonly.”
They landed at the step of the customs. “Have you anything to declare?” the official asked Frank, after his passport had been examined and stamped.
“I have nothing but this small portmanteau, which contains only clothes and a brace of pistols. I suppose one can land with them on payment of duty.”