“So you can give me no information?” said Christopher Burley, in a tone of disappointment.
“I know nothing of the man you seek,” I answered.
Just then the door was flung open, and Jules Ragoul burst excitedly into the room.
“Bonne nouvelles!” he cried. “News, Monsieur Carew! Good news! The Good Hope is in the river, and she will land her passengers early to-morrow!”
All else was forgotten, and I eagerly questioned the little Frenchman. When I was done with him I looked about for Captain Rudstone and the law clerk. Both had vanished, and I saw them no more that night.
CHAPTER III.
FLORA HATHERTON.
The next morning, at the hour of seven, I might have been found on the landing-quay by the river. The Good Hope, I was informed, still lay a short distance below the town, where for some reason she had anchored during the night. It was unlikely that I should be kept waiting long, yet I was in no haste to play the unaccustomed role of gallant. To conceal my nervousness I tried to affect an air of jaunty composure. I repeated over and over the words of greeting that I had chosen for the occasion.