“Indeed!” With fine courtesy Sir Mark perfectly concealed his amazement. Oliphant still wore his stoker’s clothes, and the black smudges on his face had given him a striking resemblance to a coal-heaver. “I am grateful to the Prime Minister for this novel and adventurous expedition,” added the envoy. “My father knows nothing about it, sir,” said Oliphant. “We were afraid he wouldn’t allow it if we told him.” “I see. Nothing succeeds like success. Did you come all the way from England in this admirable machine?” “No, sir. We were brought out on Mr. Greatorex’s yacht, which is now waiting for us at the shore.” “That is good news, for in truth, seeing the limited carrying capacity of your airship, I had wondered how we were all to get away.” “That’s our difficulty, sir. Our fuel is almost gone, and I’m very much afraid there isn’t enough left to make even one journey back to the yacht. There’s plenty on board, if we _can_ manage to reach it.” “In that case perhaps you and Mr. Oliphant had better return without us. If you reach the yacht safely, you can come back and fetch us; if you do not—well, things will be no worse than they were.” “I don’t care about doing that, sir. We came out to rescue you. I think you had better come with us. Our fuel may last out; the sooner you are safe aboard the yacht the better; and if we only get within sight of her it will be all right, for Mr. Greatorex will certainly send a boat’s crew to fetch us off.” “Had you not better take Mr. Schwab first? He has been in captivity longer than I.” “And I have vair important business,” said Schwab eagerly. “I think my arrangement is best, sir. You see, your position is a matter of state importance—international importance, I might say; all Europe is more or less interested in your fate, whereas——” “Ach!” interrupted Schwab, “zey insult me, ze Mohrs; me, a Jarman sobjeck; zerefore zey insult also our Kaiser, who is in Berlin. Zat is important.” “With all respect to your Kaiser, Mr. Schwab,” said Tom, “we are three to one here, and I think the interests of the majority must prevail.” “But ze population of Jarmany is grosser zan ze population of Great Britain. Ve grow vair fast.” “Therefore your Kaiser can spare one individual better than our King. We must settle it so, Mr. Schwab. We’ll take Sir Mark to the yacht and then come back for you—as we have already done.” “But if you forget—vere am I zen? Mr. Greatorex is business man, perhaps he vant to make haste for home. Besides, you try to keep ze secret of ze Photographic Sensitizer Preparation Number Six. I discover ze secret. You vant to keep me out, so zat I shall not take out patent for Schlagintwert. Zat is business!” “You may take my word for it that we’ll come back for you,” said Tom patiently. Oliphant was fuming: Sir Mark Ingleton was quietly enjoying the situation. “And here’s Abdul.” The young Moor at this moment came over the brow of the hill. “Perhaps he will stay and keep you company.”