Irene copied the note for her
grandfather. She made no comment. Perhaps her own island blood was a-
boil at the cavalier tone of the Governor's threat.
Stump's letter was characteristic. It ran:
S. Y. Aphrodite,
Lat. 15 deg. 10' N., Long. 41 deg. 15' E,
SIR--Yours at hand. Will act as think fit.
Yours truly,
JOHN STUMP, Master
The disagreeable part of this business ended, the Italian officer
conveyed the compliments of the Cigno's commander, and, on his behalf,
invited Signor Fenshawe and the two ladies to luncheon. Mr. Fenshawe
stiffly declined, on the plea that he did not wish to interrupt the
voyage, and the envoy went back to his ship.
The _Aphrodite_ swung round into the wind, dipped her ensign, and was
soon bowling along at her usual rate. The _Cigno_ stood away for the
coast, but, as the day wore, it was palpable that she did not mean to
part company with the yacht until the Straits of Bab-el-mandeb were
passed.
About four o'clock the wind dropped and the engines were called on.
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