"Then you have been in a fight?" queried the captain.
"Only with the fists. We defended the United States consul when he was hard pressed, and we got him safely into his office by the time the police came upon the scene," continued Christy. "But we have important information. Mr. Gilfleur will give it to you in full."
"Pardon; but I very much prefer that Mr. Passford should be the historian of the expedition," interposed the detective.
"But my friend and companion has been the principal actor; and I am sure I could not have done anything to obtain the information without him," protested the lieutenant.
"Then it is all the more proper that you should tell the story, Mr. Passford, and spare Mr. Gilfleur's modesty," said the captain.
It was agreed that Christy should be the narrator of the results of the expedition, and he first described the trip to Hamilton in the boat. Then he told about the assault on the consul, and in what manner they had defended him.
"I ought to inform you at once that the Dornoch was at St. George's harbor, and that she was to sail yesterday afternoon at five o'clock," said Christy. "But she is bound to the southward, and her first mission is to intercept an English or French steamer, and put a Confederate commissioner, wishing to get to England, on board of her. This agent of the South happens to be my uncle."
"The brother of Captain Passford?"
"Yes, Captain; and he is provided with funds to purchase two vessels—steamers, to be fitted up as men-of-war."
"Then if he is your father's brother, you think, perhaps, that we ought not to molest him," suggested the captain.