The girl started, and the Egyptian smiled at this corroborative evidence. She had hazarded a guess at the situation, and hit the mark.
She then proceeded to give an account of what would follow this adventure, and caused Muriel Wylde to blush, and wish she was safely on board again.
Edgar’s future was soon told, in the usual strain. He was the hero of the story, and would be rewarded in due time by the hand of the lady he had rescued.
Edgar gave the fortune-teller the sovereign, and asked her to direct them to the quay. She cautiously opened the door, and peered out into the darkness, listening attentively. She beckoned them to step out, and then pointed in the direction in which they should go.
They walked for some distance, and then reached the part of the town where the cafés were still open, and men and women were drinking coffee, seated round tables under the verandas and trees.
They sat down at one of the tables and rested, refreshing themselves with some excellent coffee.
‘We must hurry back to the ship,’ said Edgar. ‘Your party may have returned, and if so your mother will be very anxious.’
She was eager to go, and they rose from the table. As they walked away a tall Egyptian followed them. It was one of the men Edgar had knocked down. They were not out of danger yet.
A long avenue led down to the quay, where the boats were generally waiting to sail or row passengers back to the ship.
The Egyptian followed them, keeping within the shadow of the trees, his bare feet making no sound.