"One would have thought so," his companion replied. "It must be borne in mind, however, that the _Princess_ is a private yacht, and it is more likely, as the wind is fair, that the owner is sailing in order to save his fuel." "To the devil with him, then, for his English meanness," answered the other angrily. "He does not know how anxious we are to see her." "And, everything taken into consideration, it is just as well for us and for the safety of his passengers that he does not," his friend retorted. "If he did, his first act after he dropped anchor would be to hand them over to the tender mercies of the Police. In that case we should be ruined for ever and a day. Perhaps that aspect of the affair has not struck you?" "It is evident that you take me for a fool," the other answered angrily. "Of course, I know all that; but it does not make me any the less anxious to see them. Consider for a moment what we have at stake. Never before has there been such a chance of bringing to her knees one of the proudest nations of the earth. And to think that if that vessel does not put in an appearance within the next few hours, all our preparations may be in vain!" "She will be here in good time, never fear," his companion replied soothingly. "She has never disappointed us yet." "Not willingly, I will admit," the other returned; "but in this matter she may not be her own mistress. She is a beautiful woman, and for all we know to the contrary, this English _milord_ may be prolonging the voyage in order to enjoy her society. Who knows but that he may carry her off altogether?" "In that case his country should erect a memorial to him, similar to the Nelson Monument," said the smaller man. "For it is certain he will have rendered her as great a service as that empty-sleeved Hero ever did."