"Please, miss, an' gents all, may we smoke?" pleaded a voice.
Iris was for an immediate permission, but De Sylva shook his head.
"Not until the tide falls," he said. "There is a very real fear of a
visit from the launch. It has passed this spot four times during the
past two days--ever since my absence was discovered, in fact. The
soldiers have searched every outlying island, but they have avoided
Grand-pere because it is believed that a landing is highly dangerous if
not quite impracticable. My friend Marcel, a fisherman, discovered by
accident the only safe means of reaching the path which winds round the
island. Happily, the wretch who betrayed the mission of the
_Andros-y-Mela_ did not know the secret of my refuge. And I see now
that the Governor must be convinced that I am still hiding among the
cliffs, or your vessel would not have appeared off South Point this
morning. No, there must be no smoking as yet. In this clear air the
slightest cloud might be seen rising above the rocks from without."
Marcel reappeared at the entrance. With him was another man, whom
Hozier remembered seeing when he was hauled up from the ship with Iris.
"Ah, I was not mistaken," went on De Sylva. "Here comes news of the
launch! They have signaled for it across the island.
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