Half an hour before the disguised adventurer could see the ominous
double storm signals flying in warning on the scattered coast guard
stations, a signal of danger sent on from the Corbieres Lighthouse.
But now not a single sail was to be seen, and huge banks of heavy
blackening mists were rolling over the stormy channel. Not a stray
sail was in sight!
"Where in hell is Jack?" raged the excited conspirator, swallowing
half the contents of his brandy flask. As he returned it, the butts
of his two revolvers and the handle of a huge couteau de chasse
were plainly visible. "The fiends seem to be let loose to-day," he
growled. "It would be the night of all nights! Ha!" The discharged
officer noted two men in sou'westers and oilskins now toiling up
the path. And his heart leaped up in a wild joy.
In another moment, he half dragged his drenched companions into the
weather-worn cave. "What news?" he hoarsely demanded of Blunt, as
he extended his flask.
"The best of all news," cheerily replied the mobs-man. "Here is
Antoine. He raced down from St. Heliers, in a covered fly, and has
brought the very latest news from Fort Regent. The Stella has lost
the tide, cannot enter, and has, therefore, turned south, running
down the channel. She can not dare to enter St. Heliers now till
between ten and eleven to-night. Of course, she will not put back
to Southampton, in the teeth of this southwest gale, the very
heaviest known for twenty years.
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