“Possibly less,” I replied. “We parted company this morning about seven o’clock. The _Rampallo_ makes about eight or nine knots under easy steam and was about forty miles out. The _Stella_ covers two knots to her one; and if we assume that the _Rampallo_ has nine hours start, and allow for the time necessary to pick her up, the _Stella_ should reach her in about twelve hours. The _Rampallo_ would be about twenty-four hours on the homeward run and should make the river the day after to-morrow in the early morning.” “If they returned in your yacht they would be here sooner.” “But the _Stella_ will not return here.” “Could you not let her do so? The matter is very serious indeed.” “No. I shall send orders that my men are to return to the _Stella_. Those who took the _Rampallo_ to sea must bring her back.” “You will not be surprised if I press you to let them return in your yacht. I do press it, very earnestly indeed.” “I can’t do it, Dr. Barosa.” “Well, then, I must fall back on my first thought. The _Rampallo_ must be wrecked, and Gompez and the rest take to the boat. That would give a plausible reason for their absence.” I smiled. It was certainly ingenious. “The weather has been rather against anything of that sort,” I reminded him. “That is not serious. As I gather it, you will send out an order at once to your boat to go after the _Rampallo_ and just take off the men you have on her. Will you let me send a letter by--your captain will it be?” “Captain Bolton.” “Well, will you let me send a letter by him to Gompez?” “Yes, if you give it me at once.” He began to write it at once and, as before, found difficulty in framing it, and tore up several sheets. “I can trust your captain to deliver it unopened?” he asked. “Of course you can. But I must ask you to get it done,” I said impatiently. He made a fresh start; wrote a dozen lines or so, and again tore up the sheet, this time with a muttered oath of vexation. “I am sorry to try your patience so, Mr. Donnington; but I have been so disturbed that I am scarcely master of my thoughts. Will you let me send this to your boat later on? Or will you write your instructions to your captain and let me send them both together?” “Yes, that will do as well,” I said. He got up from the table and made way for me. I began a note to the skipper telling him to hunt up the _Rampallo_ and take off Burroughs and the men; and was proceeding to add that he should then steam to Plymouth, when it occurred to me that I might possibly persuade Miralda and her mother to leave on the _Stella_ at once.