"When I give my orders I expect them to be obeyed without question, Captain Davis."
"I'm ready to obey what orders you give, sir. I'll take the Vispera to any point of the compass you like. You pay me £28 10s. a month, and I'm yours to command."
"Very well, Davis. Then listen," I heard Keppel say, although he lowered his voice somewhat. "My instructions to you are entirely confidential, you understand. To-morrow I shall send on board a small case. It will be rather heavy, for it contains a piece of marble statuary from Pisa. You'll receive it by the last train, at about midnight, and when you've got it aboard you'll sail at once for Ragusa."
"Without the guests?"
"No. You will take them with you," was Keppel's response. "Mr. Gerald is going to Florence in the morning, so he will be absent. So shall I."
"You will join us later, I suppose, sir?"
"Yes. Perhaps at Venice. But you'll receive telegraphic orders from me at Ragusa."
"Then I'm not to sail before I receive the case?" observed the captain.
"No. It will arrive by the last train, and will be addressed to you. Send someone to the station for it, and put it in a safe place in the hold. It is a valuable statuette that has been bought for me. So mind it doesn't get damaged."
"Well, sir," responded the captain, "I can't answer for those Italian railways; but you can be sure I'll take good care of it here."