Mulai Hamed hastened towards the nearest gate. He did not enter, but his gestures showed that the Governor's residence stood inside the fortifications. Royson went on alone, and was stopped by a sentry, who called a corporal; the latter conducted him to a lieutenant, and thenceforth Dick's progress was simplified, because the officer not only spoke English but was ready to display his erudition, though, not exactly in the manner desired by his questioner. When Royson said he wanted to communicate with two gentlemen who had called on the Governor some two hours earlier, the Italian smiled darkly. "They landed from the English yacht out there?" he asked, with a hand-flourish that indicated the Red Sea generally and the _Aphrodite_ in particular. "Yes." "And you are one of the ship's officers?" "Yes," said Dick again. "Well, I have no orders. I advise you to go on board, and await his Excellency's decision." "It will be most gratifying to learn his Excellency's decision," said Royson, "but just at this moment I must ascertain the whereabouts of Mr. Fenshawe and Baron von Kerber." The lieutenant spread both hands deprecatingly. "What is one to say?" he shrugged, arching his eyebrows and pursing his lips, "I repeat, I have no orders." "But you have seen them?" "Oh, yes. They are here." "Then will you oblige me by sending in my name to Baron von Kerber, and saying--" "It is impossible. Go to your ship. I speak as a friend." "I am sure you wish to help me," persisted Dick, "but I am carrying a message of some importance--" "Ah, from whom?" "From a lady." "Who is she?" "One of the ladies of our party." "_Ahi, crudo Amor_! You have ladies on board, then?" "Yes, Mr. Fenshawe's granddaughter, and--a friend of hers." Something in the Italian's manner warned Royson that he was treading on unsafe ground. It occurred to him that if Mrs. Haxton had good reason for her display of fear at the sight of Alfieri it was advisable not to spread the tidings of her presence in Massowah by revealing it to an inquisitive official. And the warning given in one of the letters in his pocket suddenly assumed a sinister significance. He strove against any outward exhibition of concern, and the lieutenant was manifestly anxious to help him. "I am sorry," was the unsatisfying statement. "I can do nothing without his Excellency's instructions, and he has gone out for a drive." "Gone out for a drive!" repeated Royson, quite taken aback by this rather bewildering explanation. "Am I to understand that my friends are kept here--" "You are to understand nothing but what I have told you, and you will remember that I have contented myself with advising you to return to your yacht." It was evident that no good end could be achieved by striving to saddle the courteous officer with any responsibility for his admissions. Dick took the cue thus offered, and tried another line. "Will you kindly tell me at what hour the Governor returns?" he asked.