e _Savonarola_. At the
same time, you can do nothin' by stayin' ashore. What's the puzzle?
'Tis this, lad: you must get one of thim gasolin' launches that move
like the divil and smell like the sleepin' sickness! You can get one at
the Leeward Isles betchune here an' sun-down.... Listen now, come back
in good time, standin' on your own deck, with old Monkhouse for a mate,
and three or four clane-eyed American boys lookin' for adventures--an'
hang out at sea waitin' for the _Savonarola_. God save the day whin he
comes! We'll meet him on the honest seaboard in the natural way, where
he can't spring the tricks of _The Pleiad_, nor use the slather of
yellow naygurs that live off the cold sweat of him----"

Hereupon Monkhouse drained his already empty cup, the sign that another
sirocco was sweeping his throat. His mind wandered until it was
brought: "Many a man's soul has filtered up through salt-water off
these shores, lad, because he talked less of his memories than his
troubles--but you won't betray me, boy!... My Gawd, lad, to have
C'lestin' in the hold under 'me feet--as he wanst had me--but let that
pass--or lyin' deeper still under the _Savonarola_ with the fishes
tuggin' at his carcass. Ah, 'tis deep fathims under the _Savonarola_,
me lad----"

Bedient had not been listening for a moment. A _carometa_ was moving
slowly toward him, down the _Calle Real,_ and he fancied the flutter of
a handkerchief from its side window. It was nearly noon. The dazzle of
sunlight upon the glass of the _carometa_ was in his eyes, so he could
not see the face within, but a slim hand signaled again. The vehicle
approached with torturing slowness until the dazzle nickered out and he
hurried forward to greet Miss Mallory, whose face blanched at the sight
of him.

"You look as if you would fall!" she whispered. "But I'm so glad to see
you again----"

"I was just going to say it.... It's been dull--and I haven't done----"
He opened the door of the _carometa_.

"Quickly, they're watching from your house," she managed to say between
commonplaces, "_pick up that crumpled letter at my foot_!... But it
won't do for you to follow the suggestion in it--you're not able!"

"If there's anything to do, I'm able," he declared, tucking the paper
into the hollow of his hand.

"We miss you at _The Pleiad_," she said with her usual animation. "I
wish I had time for a good talk now, but I'm actually rushed to-day.
I'll see you again, though----"

B