"Well, he is here, and it don't make much difference how he got here," said Felix. "But Captain Ringgold took him down so thoroughly in Gib that I should suppose he had had enough of him."
"That may be the very reason why he is here. Whether he is dressed as a Moor or a Christian, he has the Oriental love of vengeance in his bones, and his millions will enable him to gratify it at any expense," replied Louis.
"He is a more dangerous enemy than John Scoble, alias Wade Farrongate, ever was. Do you suppose he means to follow us all over the world to get his revenge for the upsetting the captain gave him?" asked Felix. "He can make it lively for us, if that is his idea."
"I don't know what he means to do, and I don't much care. I only hope the captain will not run away any more from this Mohammedan millionaire."
When they reached the landing they found that the Maud had gone off to the steamer; but she returned immediately, and they went on board of her to wait for the coming of Scott and Morris. Presently the horse appeared, leading the procession, with Scott in the saddle. They declared that there was no fun in riding horseback at a walk, and they had had enough of it. Munif went off to the Guardian-Mother with them, as Dimitri had done before.
Felix and Louis had kept their own counsel in regard to the Pacha, and the equestrian party had not heard a word about him. As soon as they went on board of the ship they hastened to the captain's cabin, where they found him looking over some letters he had just received. Louis told his story; and the commander listened to it with a frown on his face, as though it was not pleasant news.
"Of course Scott and Morris know all about this matter?" asked the captain.
"We kept it to ourselves," replied Louis.
"That was wise; and you will oblige me by saying nothing about it to any one. We will continue to attend to our affairs without regard to the Pacha. To-morrow we are to make an excursion in the Maud through the Bosporus and Golden Horn, and we shall ascertain whether or not the Fatimé is here."
Nothing more was said about the matter on board, and the next morning the entire party started on the excursion, the two guides attending them. The little steamer passed through the bridge of boats, and then coasted along the eastern shore, passing the navy-yard and several government buildings, the commander, Louis, and Felix keeping a sharp lookout for the Fatimé, but nothing was seen of her. After a run of about three miles they landed at the mouth of a stream and visited the mosque at Eyub.