"You not only can, but will," rejoined the earl. "Come now. You'll be allowed to write that note at Port Mozambique, and keep in covert till Miss Leslie is safe off the ship. But you'll do the rest—you'll not stay here. Another thing—you have my word for it now—I shall endeavor no more than yourself to win her, until after she has returned to her home in the States."
"Lord, Jimmy! that's square—to me, I mean. But how about her?"
"No fear," reassured the Englishman. "She's received everywhere. She's been presented—at Court, y'know. If she stays over on this side a bit, there'll be dozens of 'em dancing attendance on her. Come, now; it's all settled."
"Well, I don't know," hesitated Blake.
"I tell you, you'll sail with us, else I shall leave her at Port
Mozambique and come back for you."
"Um-m—if you take it that hard! But are you sure you can keep her satisfied till we put in there?"
"Trust me for that. If she becomes apprehensive, I'll put it that you'd rather be married in port, by the American consul."
"That's no lie. Say, what's the use of waiting till dark? You said there's a stewardess aboard. Jenny will sure be below with her until—until she's ready for the ceremony."
"Quite true, yes. Then it's all settled. At Port Mozambique, your note; you bunk forward, under cover, till Aden; then home with me for a visit; neither of us see her beyond Aden until we follow her to the States."
"Since you insist—yes, it's a go, Jimmy!" agreed Blake. He turned to hasten away along the gorge, past the baobab. "I'll be back soon. Got to pull down that flag."