‘Oh, you’ll have plenty of time to talk to Phroso. I’ll see to that. You can send a message to her now, if you like.’ ‘I don’t think that’s necessary. If I see her this afternoon--’ ‘I promise you that you shall.’ ‘But aren’t you going to see her to-day? I thought you would spend the day with her.’ ‘Oh, I shall hope to see her too; you won’t monopolise her, you know. Just now I’m for a cruise.’ ‘You’re a philosophical lover,’ he laughed. I laughed also, shrugging my shoulders. ‘Then, if you’ll excuse me--no, don’t move, don’t move--I’ll give orders for our start, and come back for another cigarette with you.’ ‘You’re most obliging,’ said he, and sank back on the seat that ran round the little saloon. At what particular point in the conversation which I have recorded my resolution was definitely taken, I cannot say, but it was complete and full-blown before the captain accepted my invitation. The certainty of a separation of such monstrous length from Phroso and the chance of her receiving harsh treatment were more than I could consent to contemplate. I must play for my own hand. The island meant to be true to its nature to the last; my departure from it was to be an escape, not a decorous leave-taking. I was almost glad; yet I hoped that I should not get my good friend the captain into serious trouble. Well, better the captain than Phroso, anyhow; and I laughed to myself, when I thought of how I should redeem my promise and give him plenty of time to talk to Phroso. I ran rapidly up to the deck. Denny and Hogvardt were there. ‘How soon can you have full steam up?’ I asked in an urgent cautious whisper. ‘In ten minutes now,’ said Hogvardt, suddenly recognising my eagerness. ‘Why, what’s up, man?’ asked Denny. ‘They’re going to send Phroso to Constantinople to be tried; anyhow they’d keep her there a year or more. I don’t mean to stand it.’ ‘Why, what will you do?’ ‘Do? Go. The captain’s on board; the gunboat can’t overtake us. Besides they won’t suspect anything on board of her. Denny, run and tell Phroso not to show herself till I bid her. The captain thinks she’s up at the house. We’ll start as soon as you’re ready, Hog.’ ‘But, my lord--’ ‘Charley, old man--!’ ‘I tell you I won’t stand it. Are you game, or aren’t you?’ Denny paused for a moment, poising himself on his heels. ‘What a lark!’ he exclaimed then. ‘All right. I’ll put Phroso up to it;’ and he disappeared in the direction of her cabin. I stood for a moment looking at the gunboat, where the leisurely operations went on undisturbed, and at the harbour and street beyond. I shook my head reprovingly at Neopalia; the little island was always leading me into indiscretions. Then I turned and made my way back to where my unsuspecting victim was peacefully consuming cigarettes. Mouraki Pasha would not have been caught like this. Heaven be thanked, I was not dealing with Mouraki Pasha.