“It’s an outrage!� said Fay. “This is a Norwegian ship. I claim the protection of your flag.�
The captain motioned for the crew to lower the bo’swain’s ladder. “The lieutenant-commander will be aboard presently,� he said. “You can talk to him. You’re a King’s messenger, aren’t you?�
Fay showed the silver greyhound by turning back the flap of his overcoat.
“Who is the lady?â€� asked the captain, fishing in the side-pocket of his pea-jacket and bringing forth a yellow wireless tissue. “This says a woman and a man who wears the insignia of the King’s couriers. She’s the one in the hat with purple feathers—isn’t she?â€�
“You’ll have to ask her,� said Fay, loyally. “I claim your full protection!�
The captain replaced the tissue and leaned upon the rail. A small-boat, which had been nested with others on the gray flush-deck of the destroyer, was dancing over the waves. In the stern of this boat the lieutenant and the man in the plaid overcoat sat. Two seamen bent to the oars. The boat reached the ladder. It lifted and fell. It steadied as the commander leaped the distance and grasped the lower end of the ladder. The silent man followed him nimbly enough. They came over the rail.
Fay moved forward and stared into the man’s face. He recognized MacKeenon.
“Weil,� said the inspector, “this is a deep pleasure. Ye should o’ expected me about this time. Why, mon, the trail ye left was a verra broad one! A hae no doot ye thought ye were clever.�
Fay gulped and glanced at the lieutenant-commander. “By what right,� he asked, “does this man take me from this ship? I’m an American!�
“Five years in Dartmoor,� said MacKeenon dryly. “A’ hae no doot it’ll be that many more. Did ye get what ye went after?�