den to
escape from the tower; and I should wish to visit the mistico to procure
a rope and block to lower her, if necessary, from the window. The bay
is not more than two miles from the tower, and it will excite less
suspicion if we are seen going there, as if with the intention of
sleeping on board the mistico; and the old pirate knows, perfectly well,
that we cannot get her off without his assistance. I propose that we
remain on board the mistico till an hour before midnight, and while you
go on to prepare the boat, I will remain to assist Miss Garden in
escaping from the tower, and we will then follow directly after you."

"Well, sir, I think your plan is the safest and best, because we shall
then be independent of everybody," said Bowse. "It will be somewhat
more fatiguing, perhaps, for it will give us a long walk over very rough
ground; but that is not a matter to be thought of with the object we
have in view. But, by Heavens, sir! here comes that rascally old
pirate, and I should not be surprised if his object is to tell us that
we must all go and be locked up again, as we were yesterday night, and
then we are regularly done for, I fear."

As Bowse spoke, old Vlacco was seen at the mouth of the ravine, at
least, as well as they could distinguish in the dark, whence he began
descending the rocks to the sands.

"I trust that, even if we are locked up, everything is not lost," said
Fleetwood. "At all events, he is coming towards us, and it is our best
policy to exhibit no unwillingness to accompany him if he desires it."

The others agreed that such was certainly their only resource; and
directly afterwards old Vlacco came up to them.

"I have been directed by our chief to desire the presence of you
Maltese, forthwith, at the castle. He wishes to examine you as to
certain things, about which you can give him information, and if you
satisfy him, he will probably allow you to depart hence to-morrow. Tell
this to your comrades," he said, looking at Captain Vassilato, who
forthwith translated it into English, carefully making the words sound
as much like Maltese as possible.

"We will gladly give him any information in our power," returned the
Greek captain. "We were contemplating paying our respects to him; and
if you lead on, we will follow you."

"Humph," muttered Vlacco, as he began to climb the ravine, "the fellow
gives a ready answer, and I suspect we have got the wrong sow by the
ear." Or at least