"That's enough fur me, Otway. Now, just tell me what to do."
"Tell your mate to get your boat ready to go ashore, while I write a note."
He took a sheet of paper, and hurriedly wrote in pencil:
"DEAR LACY,—Don't hesitate to follow my instructions. There's a man here from New Zealand. Tried to get access to your cabin; bluffed him. You and your wife must follow bearer of this note to his boat, which will bring you to a schooner. The captain's name is Revels. He expects you, and you can trust him. Have pledged him my word that you will give him £500 to land you at Manila or thereabouts; also that you will hand it to him as soon as the schooner is clear of the land. All your luggage is on board the schooner, awaiting you. Allen helped me. You might send him a present by Revels. Goodbye, and all good luck. One last word— be quick, be quick !"
"Boat is ready," said Revels.
"
Right," and Otway closed the letter and handed it to the mate. "Here you are, Le Brun. Now, listen. Pull in to the mouth of the creek at the French Mission, just beside the bridge. Leave your boat there and then take this letter to D'Acosta's Hotel and ask to see Mr. Lacy. If he and his wife have gone out for a walk, you must follow them and give him the letter; but I feel pretty sure you'll find them on the verandah. Bring them off on board as quickly and as quietly as possible. No one will take any notice of the boat in the creek. Oh! and tell Mr. Lacy to be dead sure not to bring anything in the way of even a small bag with him—Joe D'Acosta might wonder. I'll settle the hotel bill later on. Are you clear?"
"Clear as mud," replied Le Brun, a big, black-whiskered Guernsey man.
"Then goodbye."
The schooner's boat, manned by two hands only, pushed off, and then Revels turned to Otway.