Up and up and up! They were getting heavenwards, and presently found themselves in quite an aërial paradise.
On the roof, but covered with awning it was. From this place they could see all over the city and catch glimpses of the blue ocean itself, to say nothing of the greenery of the far-off woods.
But here were splendid palms in pots, flowers of every hue, orange and lemon trees, whose cool green foliage refreshed the eyes that gazed upon them. Settees or lounges also, mild cigarettes on the tiny tables, iced sherbet, mangoes, pine-apples, guavas, and great purple grapes.
And presently a waiter brought cups of black coffee, of far better taste and flavour than any they had ever drank on British soil.
"What a treat after our hard and terrible life in the land of the gorilla!" This from Conal.
"But, my dear boy," said Frank, "the gorilla is really a gentleman compared to the cannibal king Goo-goo. But now, Captain, we are all anxious to hear your story."
Captain Talbot did not reply at once. He simply smiled and smoked, leaning well back in his rocking chair with his eyes on the curling wreaths, just as he used to do of an evening on the deck of the dear old Flora M'Vayne.
"I am sorry to disappoint you, my brave lads, but the real truth is that I've got no story to tell.
"You know," he continued, "what our sufferings were before you left."
"Alas! yes," said Duncan.