Part 30 (1/2)

”No,” said Onslow, who held up a strip of pasteboard and a sheet of brown paper, ”I scarcely think it is. In fact, you don't appear to have noticed that there's a seal on this part of it, and instructions that this particular packet is not to be opened.”

It seemed to Muriel that a trace of colour once more crept into Jacinta's face, but Macallister surveyed the wrappings the officer handed him with a grin.

”It is not that difficult to slice a seal off and stick it back again,”

he said. ”It's also a thing Mr. Austin should have remembered. Many a garafon of wine has he seen opened.”

”So you know that trick!” Onslow laughed. ”I'm inclined to think it's one that has now and then been practised upon our mess.”

Just then Mrs. Hatherly appeared on deck, and the group broke up. Muriel joined her aunt, Macallister, accompanied by the tourist, went down the ladder with the box of sketches under his arm, while Jacinta and Lieutenant Onslow were left alone. The latter stood with his hand on the lifeboat skids, looking down on her gravely. He was a well-favoured young man, with an honest, sun-bronzed face.

”I am,” he said, ”as you know, going out to take over command of a West-coast gunboat in a day or two, and it is more than probable that I shall not have an opportunity like this again. You see, Nasmyth and I have had a very good time in these islands, and we feel that we owe it largely to you. In fact, it's perfectly clear to us that things would have been very different if you hadn't taken us under your gracious protection. I just want to say that we recognise it, and feel grateful.”

”Well,” said Jacinta, reflectively, ”I am rather glad you do. Grat.i.tude that is worth anything carries a certain sense of obligation with it.”

”Of course!” and Onslow smiled. ”Only give me the chance of doing anything I can for you.”

”Do you know whereabouts on the West-coast the Delgado Island lies?”

”I can readily find out.”

Jacinta glanced at him sharply, and had no doubt concerning the eagerness in his face. If there was anything he could do to please her it would certainly be done.

”There is a stranded steamer somewhere up a creek behind that island, and I think the men who are trying to salve her have a good many difficulties to contend with. Among other things, I fancy the n.i.g.g.e.rs are worrying them.”

”Ah!” said Onslow. ”Our s.h.i.+ps are not, as a rule, permitted to take any part in commercial ventures, but there are, of course, exceptions to everything. According to my instructions, I am also to avoid all unpleasantness with the seaboard n.i.g.g.e.rs unless they have been provoking the authorities. Still, I would like to ask if any of the men on board that steamer is a friend of yours?”

”One of them is Miss Gascoyne's affianced lover, and she is a very old friend indeed. However, since you are apparently unable----”

Onslow checked her with a little smile. ”I'm not sure you are really willing to let me off, and if you were, I shouldn't be pleased, while I scarcely think you have answered my question very frankly, either. That, however, doesn't matter. It is permissible for the commander of a coast patrol gunboat to send a pinnace in to survey a little known creek or channel, and her crew would, of course, be guided by circ.u.mstances if they came upon a stranded steamer.”

”I presume you would not care to earn Muriel's undying grat.i.tude by being a trifle more definite?”

”No,” said Onslow, with twinkling eyes. ”I esteem Miss Gascoyne's good opinion, but I really couldn't go any further to win yours. As I pointed out, one would be guided by circ.u.mstances; but men on board stranded steamers have been supplied with drugs and provisions, as well as lent naval artificers to advise them as to repairs. I have even heard of a gunboat's launch carrying out their hawsers and anchors.”

Jacinta rose with a little smile. ”I think one could leave it with confidence to your discretion, and since it seems very likely that you will come across that steamer, I should be pleased to have your views as to the selection of a few comforts and provisions.”

Onslow favoured her with them, and, as it happened, met Macallister when at last he went down the ladder.

”Ye are going out to Africa, too?” said the latter, with a grin. ”She has been giving ye sailing instructions?”

Onslow looked at him grimly. ”Well,” he said, ”what the devil has that to do with you?”

”Oh, nothing. Just nothing at all. Still, because I see ye are willing, I would have ye know that there are--two--men from Grand Canary on board yon steamer already.”

Onslow smiled a trifle drily. ”My dear man, I'm not altogether an a.s.s,”

he said.

In the meanwhile Muriel strolled back towards Jacinta, and glanced at her with a suggestion of astonishment in her face as she sat down.