"
Something in the Italian's manner warned Royson that he was treading on
unsafe ground. It occurred to him that if Mrs. Haxton had good reason
for her display of fear at the sight of Alfieri it was advisable not to
spread the tidings of her presence in Massowah by revealing it to an
inquisitive official. And the warning given in one of the letters in
his pocket suddenly assumed a sinister significance. He strove against
any outward exhibition of concern, and the lieutenant was manifestly
anxious to help him.
"I am sorry," was the unsatisfying statement. "I can do nothing without
his Excellency's instructions, and he has gone out for a drive."
"Gone out for a drive!" repeated Royson, quite taken aback by this
rather bewildering explanation. "Am I to understand that my friends are
kept here--"
"You are to understand nothing but what I have told you, and you will
remember that I have contented myself with advising you to return to
your yacht."
It was evident that no good end could be achieved by striving to saddle
the courteous officer with any responsibility for his admissions.
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