Stump was leaning on the railing of the veranda, contemptuously
heedless of the efforts of half a dozen vendors of carpets, ostrich
feathers, fruit, sweets, and Abyssinian curios, who had gathered in the
street beneath and were endeavoring vociferously to secure his
patronage for their wares. So Dick had leisure to think out a line of
action, and he saw no reason to dispute the soundness of the advice
given him by Mr. Forbes. If the owner of the _Aphrodite_ were
unknowingly lending himself to an illegal quest, it was the duty of an
honest man to warn him. The agreement with von Kerber stood in the way
perhaps. In that case, it must be terminated. Such a resolve was rather
bitter to the taste, but it was unavoidable. To travel home by the next
mail steamer from Aden would be a tame ending to an adventure that
promised so well in its initial stages. And what of his vow not to
desert the girl who had placed her faith in him? Well, he would best
serve her by opening Mr. Fenshawe's eyes to the character of his
associates, for Dick had no manner of doubt that Mrs.
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