Part 15 (1/2)

They went to the wrong one first, and then I followed them to the other.

Fortunately the office was closed, and they were told that they could not make their complaint till to-morrow. I could understand but little that they said, yet I am certain that they spoke of having seen you here.”

”You have done well,” returned the Greek. ”You saw where they lodge?”

”_Si, signor_, certainly.”

”Then follow them to-morrow, and let me know the result of their information.”

Saying this, the Greek summoned the Jew to admit him and his companion to the house.

”I shall have to quit you to-morrow,” he observed, as their host, after examining numerous bolts and bars, followed them to the only sitting-room the Jew possessed; his dining-room, library, and sanctum, where all his most private and important business was transacted.

”What! will you not take a pa.s.sage by the good brig, the _Zodiac_,”

asked the Jew. ”I had arranged everything for you, and should not have had to appear in the affair.”

”I had done my part also at the ball to-night, and I flatter myself the English colonel and his niece would have been pleased to have my company. All would have gone well, had it not been for the appearance of those Greeks, who fancy they know me, and will swear that I am no other than the pirate Zappa, which, by the bye, exhibits the folly of being merciful. Now, though with your a.s.sistance, my friend, I might easily prove who I am, still, as you know I might find the detention inconvenient, I shall therefore sail early in the speronara. Your letters may be addressed to me as before, but bear in mind that your information is generally too stale. Now I will get a little rest, if you will show me where I am to sleep.”

”Wonderful man,” muttered the Jew, as he quitted his guest, who had thrown himself on a couch, and was already asleep. ”He has no fear of treachery.”

The Greek knew that the Jew was a wise man, and would not kill his golden goose. The Jew had procured some ordinary morning dresses for the Greek and his companion, and habited in them, with Italian cloaks thrown round them, they next morning fearlessly took their way to the quays.

Manuel was in attendance, and Paolo immediately embarked, and went on board the speronara, while the Greek returned once more into the city.

Had any one watched the movements of the two strangers, they would have observed that the Greek never for an instant allowed the Italian to leave his side while they were on sh.o.r.e, and that the latter regarded him with a look much more of fear than of affection, somewhat as an ill-used dog does his master, though he still follows his footsteps.

As the Greek walked along, he made observations on several vessels which had been mentioned to him by the beggar, and afterwards looked into the police-office, where his accusers had not arrived. Again, therefore, returning to the quay, he summoned the boatman, Manuel, who had returned for him, and directed him to pull on board the speronara, to which he had previously sent an order by Paolo to get under weigh, and heave to till he should come on board.

”Let draw,” he exclaimed, as soon as he stepped on board, ”we will try the quality of your craft, Master Alessandro, steer as if we were bound for Syracuse, and afterwards we will run off sh.o.r.e. In case any vessel should be sent in chase, I wish to mislead them as to the course we have taken.”

”_Capisco_--I understand, signor,” said the Sicilian. ”We have a good breeze, and shall reach the _Sea Hawk_, if she is at her post, long before dark.”

”Did you ever know her miss her rendezvous?” said the Greek. ”And now, my good Paolo, let me ask how it has fared with you since yesterday?”

”As it may with a man weary of the world,” returned the youth, sighing deeply.

”You will yet do bravely, Paolo,” said Caramitzo. ”How like you now the life of a sailor? We have variety and excitement enough to please you?”

”Too much--I should prefer less change, and a more tranquil existence,”

returned the youth. ”But I am willing to undergo all to please you.”

”The very words your sister would have spoken. Come, come, Paolo, you must rouse yourself, and learn to enjoy the pleasures of life, instead of moping and weeping as she does.”

As the Greek spoke, the youth's eyes flashed angrily; but as if with an effort, he controlled himself, and his countenance directly a.s.sumed its usual dejected look.

The speronara, as has been described, kept first to the northward; and after standing in that direction for six or seven miles, she eased off her sheets, and ran off to the eastward. After three hours a large polacca brig was seen from her deck a couple of points on her larboard bow. On this a small flag was run up to the end of her main-yard, which was immediately answered by the brig. The speronara then hauled her wind on the starboard tack which brought her head looking almost into Valetta harbour, while the brig hove to on the same tack.

The Greek had for some time been looking through a spy-gla.s.s towards Malta, which lay like a line of blue hillocks rising from the sea.

”Here Paolo,” he said, at length. ”Do you take the gla.s.s, and tell me, what vessels you see, which appear to have come out of the port we left this morning.”