"My dear Denny," said I, "I wish you were at home with your mother."
He smiled and repeated, "Going to cave in, old chap?"
"No, by Jove, I'm not!" cried I, leaping up. "They've had my money, and I'm going to have the island."
"Take the yacht, my lord," counselled Hogvardt, "and come back with enough force from Rhodes."
Well, that was sense; my impulse was nonsense. We four could not conquer the island. I swallowed my pride.
"So be it," said I. "But, look here; it's only just twelve. We might have a look round before we go. I want to see the place, you know." For I was very sorely vexed at being turned out of my island.
Hogvardt grumbled a little at this, but here I overruled him. We took our revolvers again, left the inn, and struck straight up the road. For nearly a mile we mounted, the way becoming steeper with every step. Then there was a sudden turn off the main road.
"That will lead to the house," said Hogvardt, who had studied the map of Neopalia very carefully.
"Then we'll have a look at the house. Show us a light, Hogvardt. It's precious dark."
Hogvardt opened his lantern, and cast its light in the way. But suddenly he extinguished it again, and drew us close in to the rocks that edged the road. We saw coming toward us in the darkness two figures. They rode small horses. Their faces could not be seen; but as they passed our silent, motionless forms, one said in a clear, sweet, girlish voice: