An idea suddenly struck Brett. "Do you know how fast she is steaming?" he inquired.
"Oh, about thirteen and a half knots an hour. That is her best rate. The P. and O. boats are not flyers, you know."
"And does she stop at Messina?"
Daubeney now caught the drift of the barrister's questions.
"I don't think so, but Macpherson, my chief engineer, will probably tell us."
Macpherson was produced, a bearded and grizzled personage, hailing from Dundee. Being a Scotchman he would not commit himself.
"I hav'na hear-rd o' the P. and O. ships stoppin' at Messina," he announced, "but aiblins they wad if they got their price." And "Mac" would not commit himself any further.
Another hour passed, and the Ganges was now almost alongside. Although both ships were well through the Straits of Bonifacio, and the Ganges should have followed a course a point or two north of that pursued by the Blue-Bell, she appeared to be desirous to come close to them.
Suddenly the reason became apparent. A line of little flags fluttered up to her masthead.