egin, signor, tell me whether there are any ships of war in
the port, and how far that is distant from us?"

"It is not above six miles on the other side of the island. That is to
say, we have been going towards it since we left the villa.

"See," he broke off, "there are flames rising in three or four
directions. The rest of those villains are at their work."

"But are there any war galleys in the port?" Francis interrupted.

"Yes. Three ships were sent here, on the report that a Moorish pirate
had been cruising in these waters, and that several vessels were
missing. When the story first came I did not credit it. The captain of
the ship who brought the news told me he had met you about halfway
across, and had told you about the supposed pirate. A vessel arrived
four days later, and brought letters from my agent, but he said no word
about your boat having arrived.

"Then I became uneasy; and when later news came, and still no word of
you, I felt sure that something must have befallen you; that possibly
the report was true, and that you had fallen into the hands of the
pirates. So I at once started, in one of the galleys which the council
were despatching in answer to the request of the governor here."

"In that case, signor, there is not a moment to lose. The governor
should be informed that the pirate is lying on the opposite coast, and
that his crew have landed, and are burning and pillaging. If orders are
issued at once, the galleys could get round before morning, and so cut
off the retreat of these miscreants."

"You are quite right," Polani said, rising at once. "We will go on
without a moment's delay! The girls can follow slowly under the escort
of the servants."

"Oh, papa," Maria exclaimed, "you are not going to take Francisco away
till we have heard his story! Can you not send forward the servants
with a message to the governor?"

"No, my dear. The governor will have gone to bed, and the servants
might not be able to obtain admittance to him. I must go myself. It is
for your sakes, as well as for my own. We shall never feel a moment's
safety, as long as this villain is at large. Francisco's story will
keep till tomorrow.

"As to your gratitude and mine, that needs no telling. He cannot but
know what we are feeling, at the thought of the almost miraculous
escape you have had from falling into the hands of your persecutor.

"Now come along, Francisco.

"One of you men who knows the road had better c