"Ay, ay, sir."
"Then jump in; I thought you had missed us."
"Couldn't get here any sooner, sir," said the man apologetically. "I was stopped and questioned by a patrol as I came down from the station. There are launches up and down the river, I am told, looking for us."
"The deuce there are!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet; then in a calmer tone he added, "We must risk it. Perhaps it is my fault; but I don't think they'll look for the 'Aphrodite' so close to the bridge. Give way, men."
On gaining the main stream, greatly to the relief of all in the boat, no red and green lights of patrolling launches were to be seen. Boldly Captain Restronguet steered across the bows of the cruiser that had hailed him on the outward trip. To lurk inshore would be courting suspicion.
"Boat ahoy!" came the hail from the lookout.
Captain Restronguet replied as before, but this time the look-out was not satisfied.
"What boat is that?" he shouted.
"Customs!" roared the captain with a lucky inspiration.
Muttering a malediction on all custom-house officials, especially on those in this particular boat, the seaman resumed his walk up and down the fo'c'sle deck. He remembered a certain half a pound of tobacco that had got him into trouble with His Majesty's Customs, and the incident still rankled in his manly bosom.