The storm which had swept over the island the evening before was gone. It was a bright hot day; the waves danced blue in the sun, while a light breeze blew from off the side of the land on which the house stood and was carrying fishing-boats merrily out of the harbour. If Constantine had found a boat, the wind was fair to carry him away to safety. But had he? I glanced up at the cottage in the woods above me. A thought struck me. I could run up there and down again in a few moments. I made my way quickly back to the house and into the compound behind. Here, to my delight, I found Kortes. A word shewed me that he had heard the news. Phroso also had heard it. It was known to every one. ‘I’m going to see if I can get a look into the cottage,’ said I. ‘I’m told it is guarded, my lord.’ ‘Kortes, speak plainly. What do you say about this affair?’ ‘I don’t know; I don’t know what to think. If they won’t let you in--’ ‘Yes, I meant that. How is she, Kortes?’ ‘Well, my sister says. I haven’t seen her. Run no risks, my lord. She has only you and me.’ ‘And my friends. I’m going to send them word to be on the look-out for any summons from me.’ ‘Then send it at once,’ he counselled. ‘You may delay, Mouraki will not.’ I was struck with his advice; but I was also bent on carrying out my reconnaissance of the cottage. ‘I’ll send it directly I come back,’ said I, and I ran to the angle of the wall, climbed up, and started at a quick walk through the wood. I met nobody till I was almost at the cottage. Then I came suddenly on a sentry; another I saw to the right, a third to the left. The cottage seemed ringed round with watchful figures. The man barred my way. ‘But I am going to see the lady--Madame Stefanopoulos,’ I protested. ‘I have orders to let nobody pass,’ he answered. ‘I will call the officer.’ The officer came. He was full of infinite regrets, but his Excellency’s orders were absolute. Nay, did I not think they were wise? This man was so desperate a criminal, and he had so many friends. He would, of course, try to communicate with his wife. ‘But he can’t expect his wife to help him,’ I exclaimed. ‘He wanted to murder her.’ ‘But women are forgiving. He might well persuade her to help him in his escape; or he might intimidate her.’ ‘So I’m not to pass?’ ‘I’m afraid not, my lord. If his Excellency gives you a pass it will be another matter.’ ‘The lady is there still?’ ‘Oh, I believe so. I have not myself been inside the cottage. That is not part of my duty.’ ‘Is anyone stationed in the cottage?’ The officer smiled and answered, with an apologetic shrug, ‘Would not you ask his Excellency anything you desire to know, my lord?’ ‘Well, I daresay you’re right,’ I admitted, and I fixed a long glance on the windows of the cottage. ‘Even to allow anybody to linger about here is contrary to my orders,’ suggested the officer, still civil, still apologetic. ‘Even to look?’ ‘His Excellency said to linger.’ ‘Is it the same thing?’