"Our weapons are meant only for defense," he said. "Von Kerber wished
to guard against Arab hostility--that is all. But I do not despair of
obtaining redress from Rome. Surely it cannot be known there that I am
the leader of this expedition. It is so wildly absurd to treat _me_ as
a filibuster. Why, Mr. Royson, the Italian Archeological Society
elected me an honorary vice-president ten years ago."
Dick had his own views as to the extent of the Aphrodite's armament,
but the present was no time to air them. Moreover, he was beginning to
see features of the affair that were hard to reconcile with Mr.
Fenshawe's statements. In the first instance, the Governor had acted on
specific Instructions, and the Roman authorities must have been well
aware of the identity of the yacht's owner. Again, the person really
aimed at in these high-handed proceedings was von Kerber. The Governor
made no secret of the fact that the millionaire was detained solely
because he declared himself a principal in the Austrian's enterprise,
and it was no small token of official regret at an unpleasant incident
that they were now driving to the hotel in His Excellency's private
carriage.
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