, like
a nest of hornets? Had he done so, you would have been a lost man!"

"No doubt," assented von Schalckenberg, imperturbably. "And of course I
had to take the risk of his doing so. But I succeeded in thoroughly
convincing him that any attempt of that kind, however successful it
might be, would not help him in the least, because I should shoot him
dead at the first indication of such an intention, and long before
assistance could possibly arrive. And, as I had anticipated, his regard
for his own life was sufficient to deter him from throwing it away for
the sake of the very doubtful posthumous gratification of knowing that
he had placed mine in jeopardy. In a word, he was simply too great a
coward to risk so much for the sake of mere revenge."

"Well," observed Mildmay, "it was as magnificent an exhibition of
`bluff' as I have ever heard of. You have been completely successful
thus far, Professor; and now, the most difficult part of your scheme
being accomplished, I see no reason whatever why we should not be
equally successful in the other part; in which event," turning to
Feodorovna, "I shall hope to have the pleasure of witnessing your
reunion with your father to-morrow."

"Oh, Captain--oh, Sir Reginald!" she exclaimed, the tears starting to
her eyes, "if you can but compass that I will for ever bless and pray
for you all!" And, springing to her feet, the poor girl retreated
precipitately to her cabin to conceal her emotion.

"The next question that arises," remarked Sir Reginald, discreetly
ignoring the young lady's hurried retreat, "is: At what time ought we to
start in pursuit of the convict-ship?"

He seemed to address this question to the professor, who shrugged his
shoulders expressively as he replied--

"That is for our friend Mildmay to say; he will know better than any of
the rest of us what will be the most favourable hour at which to
overtake her."

Thus appealed to, Mildmay replied--

"Oh, I should say about daylight; call it half-past six to-morrow
morning. That will necessitate our starting from here at--um! Before I
can determine that I must see which way the wind is, and at what
strength it is blowing. I will have a look round on deck after dinner,
and let you all know."

Accordingly, as soon as Lady Olivia had retired from the table, Mildmay
rose from his seat, went on deck, and returned in about five minutes
with the information that a bitterly keen, northerly wind was blowi