"Why, old fellow, you must wake up! We must go aboard our boat!"
The corporal heard men shouting:
"Steamer Victoria for Ostend! Steamer Empress for Calais!"
"We must hurry!" cried Juve, pushing the bemused Butler-Vinson out of the compartment.
There was a sea fog growing denser every minute. Without their powerful electric lights it would have been impossible to recognise the boats or the gangways leading to them.
Juve had Butler by the arm: a necessary precaution, for the wretched man could scarcely keep on his feet. Juve propelled him towards a gangway: a minute later both were on the boat.
Vinson caught sight of the inscription Empress on the lifebuoys. A flash of reason illumined Butler-Vinson's drink-soddened mind. He hesitated, drew back with a frightened look.
"Didn't I hear just now that this boat goes to Calais?"
A passing sailor heard this question. He was about to enlighten Butler-Vinson, but Juve pushed him aside—this imbecile was going to spoil everything!
"No, old fellow, you are quite mistaken! It is the Victoria that goes to Calais: we go to Ostend with the Empress."