Last evening I would have believed this; but since the escape and return of the lugger I could have sworn that we had an excellent friend and ally in our bay." "You had your signals, Signor Tenente; and that is proof of amity and understanding." "We made our number when we saw the lugger with an English ensign set, for we did not suppose a Frenchman would be quietly lying in a Tuscan port; but the answer we got was nonsense; and then we remembered to have heard that this Raoul Yvard was in the habit of playing such tricks all along the Italian coast.

Once on the scent, we were not the men to be easily thrown off it.

You saw the chase and know the result." "There must be some error in all this! Would it not be well, Signore, to see the commander of the lugger--or to go on board of her and satisfy yourself with your own eyes of the truth or falsehood of your surmises?
Ten minutes might clear up everything." "Your pardon, Signor Vice-governatore; were I to trust myself on board le Feu-Follet, I might remain a prisoner until a peace was made; and I have yet two steps to gain before I can afford that risk.

Then as to letting Yvard know of my presence here, it would just give him the alarm, and cause us to lose the bird before we can spring the net.

My orders are positive, not to let any one but the authorities of the island know of my visit or its object.