Reference was made to an atlas, in default of a chart covering the "ground".
"Plenty of harbours," reported the Patrol-leader.
"It looks a terrific long way to the North Foreland," observed the cautious Woodleigh, "and the whole of the Thames Estuary seems bunged up with sand-banks."
"That's part of the fun," added Reggie Warkworth. "Not bumping on them, of course, but dodging between them. It's a bit tricky, I admit, but once we're in the English Channel it's as easy as winking."
"How long will it take?" inquired Roche. "The longer the better, as far as I am concerned."
"We ought to make Harwich in one day, Ramsgate the next, then Newhaven and Poole the fifth day," said Stratton, roughly measuring off the distances. "Allowing delays for bad weather, we ought to do it comfortably in the time."
"And the Thames trip?" asked Alan. "Steamers do that in a couple of days, I believe."
"Ever been on the Thames, anyone?" asked the Patrol-leader.
"I have," replied Flemming. "I was only a kid at the time. I went from Charing Cross Pier to Hampton Court. It was jolly fine, I remember."
Alan Hepburn was still pondering over the matter of the fifteen pounds.