Naturally, the girl was the speedier to find her tongue.
"Good gracious, Mr. Royson," she said, "what is the meaning of this?"
and a generous hand-sweep included sea and sky and distant coastline in
the eager question.
"I don't know," he said. "Captain Stump and Mr. Tagg entered into a
conspiracy to keep me in bed. I have not been on deck five minutes."
"But didn't you ask? Aren't you consumed with curiosity? Who is in
charge of the bridge?"
"Mr. Tagg. His stock of information is limited. 'Cleared the islands at
four bells; course South-40-East' is practically all he has to say."
"It may be, then, that you are good at guessing? Have you not heard
that the Baron is with us?"
"Yes, Miss Fenshawe, I knew that last night. Indeed, I heard his boat
hail the watch. I was lying awake, and the Baron's voice is easily
recognizable."
"Mrs. Haxton seems to have succeeded where all else failed. Did you see
any of their companions? Was El Jaridiah with them?"
"No. I plead guilty to opening a port and looking out.
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