But the Englishman would waste no more time. He determined to charter a steamer, regardless of cost, and proceed to the seat of war. Enquiries at the various shipping offices, however, elicited the same reply—all steam vessels were ordered to be held at the sole disposal of the Italian Government. At last one agent suggested a sailing craft. With the prevalent strong north-west wind the passage would be soon made. He had a swift felucca, the Victor Strozzi, which would be at the signor's disposal.
"Have her ready by five o'clock, then."
"Impossible, signor!"
The Englishman was obdurate.
"Five o'clock, or not at all."
The "patron" protested, but finally gave way, Mr. Reeves agreeing to the proposal that the Victor Strozzi should provision at Capri, where supplies had not yet reached war prices. The correspondent was on his way down to the bay when his conveyance nearly bowled over his young acquaintance Hugh Frazer and his companion.
Arthur Reeves was a man of few words. What he did say was brief and to the point. But he was a rare listener. The biggest bore in creation he would endure uncomplainingly, for in the torrent of vapid small talk he would never fail to pick up some information to add to his vast store of knowledge of men and matters.
"Sorry I didn't know before that you were staying in Naples. I should have liked to have had a yarn with your pater, Rags," he remarked. "Look here; it's not too late. Cut off back to the hotel and ask him, to come on board. Bring your chum with you. I'll take you across to Capri—you will enjoy it—and there are plenty of boatmen to run you back."
"I will," replied Hugh, as the cab came to a halt at the quay. "But where shall we see you?"
"I will be on board the Victor Strozzi. Get a man to row you off. Don't forget—five sharp, if you're coming."