The
incident had the further effect of arousing Royson to actualities. He
dismissed his day-dream, and bent his wits to consideration of the
queer message which Mrs. Haxton had asked him to deliver. Would the
Austrian obey her, he wondered? A man's point of view and a woman's
differ materially when the graver crises of life have to be faced. If
it were merely a question of physical courage, Dick imagined that the
Baron would refuse to play the coward's part by skulking on board the
yacht. In that event, von Kerber and Alfieri could hardly fail to meet
within the hour, for Massowah was a small place. Nor was it altogether
probable that bloodshed would be the outcome. The affray at Marseilles
had given the Italian an excellent opportunity for settling old scores
in that fashion if he were so minded. At any rate, the position was
rife with dramatic possibilities, and each that presented itself to
Dick's judgment seemed to favor his own projects, which now demanded a
speedy return to England. Yet he hoped to arrange his departure in such
wise that Irene Fenshawe might not have it in her heart that he had
deserted her.
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