“By Jove, that’s good news!” cried Maurice, as the Demarch handed the
key to his daughter. “Now we will know all about the new yacht, uncle,
and if Melnos is taken, we can go to Syra, and escape on board of her.”
“Melnos won’t be taken,” said Justinian with a frown. “I am quite
astonished at your suggesting such a thing, Maurice. Besides, the yacht
is going to Athens.”
“Yes, but Crispin sent a letter to the telegraph office there, telling
them to wire to the agents that the yacht was to stop at Syra.”
“Humph! well, that is not bad news. As you say, it is as well to be
prepared for emergencies. Here is the key, Helena. Where is Crispin?”
“Waiting at the tunnel entrance!” replied Helena brightly, and went away
with the key of the island, guarded by Dick and Zoe.
There was every sign that these two were following in the footsteps of
their master and mistress, for as Zoe, tutored by Helena, could speak
English very well, there was no obstacle to Dick’s wooing. The bos’n was
a handsome young fellow, with a masterful manner about him, which the
Greek maiden found very pleasant, so she was not at all indisposed to
yield to his solicitations, and become Mrs. Dick, the more so, as she
thought this marriage would not part her from Helena, whom she loved
dearly. Her early flame, Gurt, had quite vacated the field in favor of
his handsome young rival, and now took a paternal interest in the match.
As yet, Zoe, with innate coquetry, had not given Dick a direct answer,
but there was little doubt, in the end, she would accept this assiduous
lover who worshipped her very shadow.
While the three had departed to take Crispin the key of the gate,
Justinian continued examining the electric apparatus, and questioning
Alexandros concerning the mode of working.
“The moon is not up till late to-night,” said the Demarch, looking at
the sky, “so in the darkness we will be able to test it splendidly. Are
the lights at the tunnel and the western pass in order, Alexandros?” he
added in Greek.
“Yes, Kyrion. I attended to them to-day, myself.”
“And the engine?”
“Works perfectly, Kyrion.”
“Capital!” said Justinian in English, turning to Maurice. “I think our
electric powers will rather startle Alcibiades!”
“No doubt; but do you know, uncle, I think it is a pity you did not
place a search light on one of those peaks, so as to sweep the ocean,
and thus reveal their approach if they try to steal in to the beach
under the cover of darkness.”