“There you see, sir, it is as I feared! They got off before my telegram could have reached Southampton—before, in point of fact, it had been dispatched from London. And it is as I suspected—they are going to one of the Channel Islands to kill each other at their leisure,” said the chief. “And now what the deuce is to be done? Can’t they still be followed and stopped?” “I fear not until they have accomplished their purpose. There is no other boat leaves for Guernsey until to-morrow.” “No other packet? But, good Heavens, can we not hire a yacht and go in pursuit of them? We can run down to Southampton by the next train, and, in so large a port as that, we could be sure of being able to charter a vessel for the trip.” “I fear, sir, I should not be justified in taking the responsibility of incurring so great an expense,” said the chief, slowly. “Oh, never mind the expense, man—I will take that upon myself! I would not grudge a thousand pounds to save my mad nephew from this meditated crime and folly. I will make you quite safe in regard to the expense, only I should wish you to send a sufficient police-force with me to stop the duel by force if it cannot be done by persuasion. Come! it is only half-past twelve o’clock now, and the train for Southampton don’t start until three. You have two hours and a half to make up your mind and make all the necessary arrangements. Come, what do you say?” “Oh, of course the thing can be done, sir, if you choose to incur the heavy expense of hiring the vessel. You can take two of our men with you, and procure two more at Southampton.” “All right! Now we must go back to our hotel to prepare for our journey. There is the address. Now how soon will you send the men up to us?” “In an hour, sir, or at least in good time for you to reach the train; or they can join you at the station.” “I would rather they would come up within an hour at furthest to our hotel, for then I should feel surer of them, and if they do not report at the time specified, of course I should wait for them until we get to the station, and then miss them there, we should have to go down to Southampton without them. Send them to our hotel, if possible, and as soon as may be, if you please, Mr. Harding.” “I will do so, General,” answered the chief. And the General and Mr. Hammond left the police office and returned to the Morley House. Here a difficulty met them—how to account to Drusilla for their sudden journey without alarming her. Neither the General nor Dick had ingenuity enough to invent a means of satisfying her mind without telling her an untruth. “We must leave it to Anna’s wit,” said Dick, as they entered the house. And the General assented. On entering the drawing-room, they found no one there, except Master Lenny, attended by his nurse. “Where are the ladies?” inquired the General. “They are both in their rooms fast asleep, sir,” answered Pina.