To what conclusion did this discovery point?
Percy abandoned the attempt to answer that question in despair.
They reached Dover toward two o'clock in the morning.
At the pier-head they found a coast-guardsman on duty, and received more information.
In 1817 the communication with France was still by sailing-vessels.
Arriving long after the departure of the regular packet, Bervie had hired a lugger, and had sailed with the two ladies for Calais, having a fresh breeze in his favor.

Percy's first angry impulse was to follow him instantly.

The next moment he remembered the insurmountable obstacle of the passports.

The Consul would certainly not grant those essentially necessary documents at two in the morning! The only alternative was to wait for the regular packet, which sailed some hours later--between eight and nine o'clock in the forenoon.

In this case, they might apply for their passports before the regular office hours, if they explained the circumstances, backed by the authority of the magistrate's letter.
Mr.Bowmore followed Percy to the nearest inn that was open, sublimely indifferent to the delays and difficulties of the journey.