"Prince Tabnit,"—Olivia's voice never seemed to interrupt, but rather to "divide evidence finely" at the proper moment—"how long will it take us to reach Yaque?"
St. George thrilled at that "us."
"My submarine," replied the prince, "is plying about outside the harbour. I arrived in four days."
"By the way," St. George submitted, "since your wireless system is perfected, why can not we have news of your island from here?"
"The curve of the earth," explained the prince readily, "prevents. We have conquered only those problems with which we have had to deal. The curve of the earth has of course never entered our calculation. We have approached the problem from another standpoint."
"We have much to do, Prince Tabnit," said Olivia; "when may we leave?"
"Command me," said Prince Tabnit, bowing.
"To-morrow!" cried Olivia, "to-morrow, at noon."
"Olivia!" Mrs. Hastings' voice broke over the name like ice upon a warm promontory. Mrs. Hastings' voice was suited to say "Keziah" or "Katinka," not Olivia.
"Can you go, Mr. Frothingham?" demanded Olivia.