"Though I can't hold out any hope for you," he said. "I know nothing of law, but international affairs are always slow."
"But I ought to get justice in the end, ought I not?" asked Jack, respectfully.
"You ought, my man, and I'll do all I can for you," said Mr. DeVere.
"Oh, what a pretty sight!" exclaimed the voice of Miss Dixon, as she emerged from a companionway with her chum, Miss Pennington. "Isn't it romantic—stopping to speak to a steamer at sea?"
"Delightful," agreed Miss Pennington. "I wonder if the captain of the steamer will ask us to tea? It's a British vessel, and Englishmen are so fond of tea."
"Yes, and they are so romantic and good-looking," agreed Miss Dixon. "But perhaps this is only for moving pictures."
"Oh, pshaw! Perhaps it is!" sighed her companion, and the two of them, who had been taking surreptitious glances in mirrors, enclosed in the flaps of their bags, ceased "primping," until they could be sure whether or not there was any object in it.
"What's it all about?" asked Miss Dixon again.
"Oh, they're going to take one of our men, I believe," said Pop Snooks, the property "angel," as the ladies often called him.
"Oh dear! What are they? Pirates?" gasped Miss Pennington.