“Gregory? no, something sort of foreign-sounding--Gregorescu, here it is. I said I would have him hear from me.” “So you shall, to-morrow morning,” said Mr Hicks, “and I’ll go along there with you.” “The doctor would as lief be rid of this old fellow, I guess. He told me he was quite safe to be allowed out, but he didn’t know where to find his friends.” “Then his friends will find him. Did you say you were coming here?” “Well, yes, I guess I did.” “I don’t just see this,” murmured Mr Hicks, “but we will look into it to-morrow.” CHAPTER XXII. OPENING THE PRISON DOORS. When Mr Bradwell started the next morning on his return journey to the Dardanian port, Mr Hicks accompanied him, not without strong opposition from Usk and Helene. Dr Gregorescu’s extraordinary change of front, as exhibited in his interview with the mate, seemed to them to show that the only thing that needed to be done was to go in a body and demand and obtain Cyril’s release, but Mr Hicks could not satisfy himself that the matter was so simple. The utmost he would concede was that four hours after he had started, they might drive out as far as the bend of the road where Helene had first lost her way, and wait there in case he sent back a message by Jakob, whom he would take with him, and William could ride out with the carriage, as it might be an advantage to have another man at hand. But when Usk asked scoffingly what was the object of all these warlike preparations, Mr Hicks confessed that he didn’t know. It was simply that he couldn’t seem to see such an elaborate plot peter out without some sort of a surprise for somebody.