not suit his present views, pretended not to notice it--
on the contrary, he professed the warmest friendship for the
vice-consul, and took an opportunity of saying that he could not return
his kindness in a better way than by informing him of the plot which had
been arranged. He then told him of the intended escape of his sister,
and that he was the person intended to bring her off.

"Infamous, by heavens!" cried the vice-consul; "I shall write to the
Foreign Office on the subject."

"I think," said Jack, "it will be much better to do what I shall
propose, which will end in a hearty laugh, and to the confusion of
Captain Hogg. Do you dress yourself in your sister's clothes, and I
will bring you off instead of her. Let him imagine that he has your
sister secure; I will hand you down to the cabin, and do you lock
yourself in. He cannot sail without my orders, and I will not sign the
vouchers. The next morning we will open the cabin door and have a good
laugh at him. Desire your boat to be off at daylight to take you on
shore, and I will then make him proceed to Toulon forthwith. It will be
a capital joke."

So thought the vice-consul, as well as Gascoigne and Captain Hogg. He
shook hands with Jack, and was as civil to him as before.

That night Gascoigne left one of Miss Hicks's many dresses with Azar,
who agreed to follow his fortunes, and who packed up all the jewels and
money she could lay her hands upon. Poor little Child, she trembled
with fear and delight. Miss Hicks smuggled, as she thought, a box of
clothes on board, and in the box was her fortune of three hundred
dollars. Mr Hicks laughed in his sleeve, so did Jack; and every one
went to bed, with expectations that their wishes would be realised.
After an early dinner, Captain Hogg and Gascoigne went on board, both
squeezing Jack's hand as if they were never to see him again, and looks
of intelligence passed between all the parties.

As soon as they were out of the door the vice-consul chuckled, and Miss
Hicks, who thought he chuckled at the idea of having rid himself of
Captain Hogg, chuckled still more as she looked at our hero, who was her
confidant, and our hero, for reasons known to the reader, chuckled more
than either of them.

A little before dark, the boat was sent on shore from the brig, which
was now under way, and Mr Hicks, as had been agreed, said that he
should go into the office and prepare the vouchers--that is, put on his
sist