I drew a breath of relief. I had won more easily than I had anticipated. Whatever his intentions had been at the outset of the interview, he had apparently abandoned them on learning that to do anything to me would not avert discovery or save his companions. He found some difficulty in wording the paper and tore up a couple of sheets with an exclamation of impatience. Several minutes were spent in this way. When he had finished the writing he handed it to me. “Will that do?” I read it carefully. It was almost in the words I had used, and I folded it up and put it in my pocket, well satisfied that, should any emergency arise requiring its use, it would prove a sufficient confirmation of the story I had to tell. “I am satisfied,” I said. “You will leave Lisbon at once, Mr. Donnington, and will keep absolutely silent as to all that has occurred?” “Yes, unless circumstances arise in which I am compelled to use this document on Mademoiselle Dominguez’ behalf.” “I quite understand that, and can accept your word absolutely,” he replied. As I went toward the door, he added: “You will pardon the means I adopted to secure this interview, and will understand how vital it was that I should know the position precisely?” “So long as you recognize it, that’s enough for me.” “Oh, wait one moment,” he cried, as I put the key in the lock. “We have forgotten one very important point. I have been intensely disturbed by all this, as you will have seen; and that is the cause of my oversight. You will arrange for my friends to be set at liberty at once?” “Certainly; as soon as practicable.” “To-day, I mean?” “That is not possible. The _Rampallo_ is out at sea. I will send the _Stella_ after her; but it will be at least two days before the two yachts can be back in port.” His face clouded. “That is very serious. These officers are absent from their regiment without leave and exceedingly awkward questions may be asked. It may mean ruin for them.” “I presume they knew the risk they were running.” “Had they succeeded there would have been no risk of course. On the contrary, they would have had their reward. Had the cause of their failure been other than it was, they would have been able to return to duty at once; but as it is----” he broke off and paced the room in great perturbation. “Could you have them put on shore somewhere along the coast so as to save time?” “No. The _Rampallo_ has steamed straight out into the Atlantic.” He tossed up his hands with an exclamation of despair. “I beg you to remain a minute while we consider this. I can think of but one way. It may be two days, you say?”