But all was useless. The signal that the Dutchman had returned was not made when Lord Clancarty rose to his feet and intimated his intention there and then of going ashore, though his manner suggested that it would have been easy to induce him to wait longer. We went on deck with him. The night was banked with clouds though a full moon was due; only a few stars shone in the spaces of the zenith; our vessel was in darkness except where a lamp swung at the bow. “_Mon Dieu!_ Tony, what a pitchy night! I'd liefer be safe ashore than risking my life getting there in your cockle-shell,” said Clancarty. “'Art all right, Lord Clancarty,” said Thurot. “Here's a man will row you to the quay in two breaths, and you'll be snug in bed before M. Greig and I have finished our prayers.” Then he cried along the deck for the seaman. I felt that all was lost now the fellow's absence was to be discovered. What was my astonishment to hear an answering call, and see the Dutchman's figure a blotch upon the blackness of the after-deck. “Bring round the small boat and take Lord Clancarty ashore,” said the captain, and the seaman hastened to do so. He sprang into the small boat, released her rope, and brought her round. “_A demain_, dear Paul,” cried his lordship with a hiccough. “It's curst unkind of Tony Thurot not to let you ashore on parole or permit me to wait with you.” The boat dropped off into the darkness of the harbour, her oars thudding on the thole-pins. “There goes a decent fellow though something of a fool,” said Thurot. “'Tis his kind have made so many enterprises like our own have an ineffectual end. And now you must excuse me, M. Greig, if I lock you into your cabin. There are too few of us on board to let you have the run of the vessel.” He put a friendly hand upon the shoulder I shrugged with chagrin at this conclusion to an unfortunate day. “Sorry, M. Greig, sorry,” he said humorously. “_Qui commence mal finit mal_, and I wish to heaven you had begun the day by finding Antoine Thurot at home, in which case we had been in a happier relationship to-night.” CHAPTER XXXIX DISCLOSES THE MANNER OF MY ESCAPE AND HOW WE SET SAIL FOR ALBION