When he had finished his drink the Commandant pressed him to stay on to lunch. As he now had twenty four hours to fill, he gladly accepted:’ Having spent most of his life in the South Seas, the old man was a mine of information about the natives and their customs, and his cook produced a Lobster Americaine, followed by a rum omelette that could not have been bettered outside France; so for a very pleasant couple of hours Gregory was able from time to time to put out of his mind his anxiety about James.
On returning to the Royal bure, he found that Aleamotu'a had mustered the body guard and was endeavouring to instil a war like spirit into it. They were a fine looking collection of men, with muscular bodies, holding themselves very upright and, including their great puffs of crinkly, black hair, averaging not less than six foot three in height; but their weapons left much to be desired. Only eight of them were armed with comparatively modern repeating rifles; the rest had shotguns, and a few only ancient muzzle loading muskets. Nevertheless, laughing and chattering, they were entering into the spirit of the game like happy children.
After two hours napping on his bed in the bure still faintly redolent of Manon's seductive scent, Gregory went down to the harbour; for it had occurred to him that, with James in seclusion, it was very probable that no arrangements had yet been made for the body guard to carry out a sea borne attack on the Pigalle.
At the small police station he introduced himself to Sergeant Marceau, whom he found to be a paunchy little man with a ruddy face, close cropped hair and an indolent manner the last, no doubt, having been acquired during years spent in a tropical backwater where there was little serious crime to occupy him.
Having given Gregory a personal account of his abortive mission that morning, the Sergeant went on to say that he hoped his master, the Resident, would not order an attack on the Pigalle, as he had only six men and no faith at all in the native auxiliaries who were to support them. However, it transpired that his small arsenal was considerably larger than Gregory had expected. It contained one heavy machine gun, four Sten guns, a rifle and pistol for each man, and several dozen hand grenades and tear gas bombs.
Much comforted by this, Gregory suggested that the gendarmes should go armed with the machine weapons,, and grenades, and loan the surplus rifles to members of the Ratu's body guard. Marceau proved most reluctant to hand over any of his weapons to the natives, but finally agreed that to get the best value out of them it would be wise to do so.
For transport he could provide only one motor launch which was used for occasional anti smuggling patrols. He added that the Ratu owned several large war canoes, but they were chucked up in boathouses and it was so long since they had been used that it was certain they would prove unseaworthy. Brushing aside the idea of canoes, Gregory declared that they must commandeer other motor craft, of which there were several in the harbour. To that Marceau agreed and they left the office together, the Sergeant to make the necessary arrangements and Gregory, feeling that there was no more he could do, to go off in James' speed boat to the Boa Viagem.
Down in the saloon, he found that Manon had inveigled Olinda into playing a game of six pack bezique, but on Gregory's appearance she impatiently pushed the cards aside and enquired anxiously for news. He could tell her only that Lacost had defied the police and that, since a little before midday, James had gone into seclusion.
By then it was time for a drink, and Gregory decided that the kindest thing he could do for Olinda would be to get her good and high, so that she would, at all events, sleep a good part of the night.
Going to the bar, he compounded a killer cocktail, putting into each of three large goblets good measures of cordial Medac, green Chartreuse and brandy, then filling them up with champagne. As the wine disguised the strength of the spirits with which it had been loaded, both the girls enjoyed the drink without suspecting its potency, and happily accepted a second ration. To Olinda he gave the mixture as before, but did no more than flavour the champagne for Manon and himself. Manon, meanwhile, had switched on the record player and Olinda had become perceptibly more cheerful. Shortly before dinner was due, Captain Amedo came in to enquire if there was anything he could do for her and she invited him to make a fourth.
During the meal Gregory kept the champagne going, and to outward appearances it was a merry party; but the others were aware that Olinda was only putting a brave face on things and was all the while worrying herself into a fever about what might happen to James next day. She stuck it out until the pudding, a Zabaglione, was served. Then she suddenly burst into tears and hurriedly got up from the table.
Manon rose, too, but she was on the opposite side of the table and Gregory caught her arm while Captain Amedo took Olinda's and supported her out of the dining cabin. As they moved towards the door, Gregory snatched up a couple of dry biscuits from the cheese tray, thrust them into Manon's hand and said in a swift whisper
`Now go after her. I don't want her to be sick, so you must prevent her from lying down. Sit her in a chair and make her nibble these while you get behind her and massage her temples with eau de Cologne. Talk to her soothingly and tell her we'll stay on board tonight, in case she needs us. When she has quietened down, undo her hair and keep brushing it until she becomes drowsy. The odds are she'll have some aspirins in her cabin. If so, give her a couple, then get her to bed.'
With a half humorous grimace, Manon replied, `You would make a good psychologist, but are a lousy husband. Drink and tears are just what the poor dear needed, though, and between us, with luck, we'll get her off for a good night's sleep:
When Amedo rejoined Gregory they told the steward to clear the table and helped themselves to liqueur brandies. The Captain had heard enough of what was happening on shore to be aware of the reason for Olinda’s collapse, but he knew nothing about the projected attack on the Pigalle; so Gregory told him what was being planned, then went on:
'Those Colons are real toughs, so it's certain that they will put up a fight and it is going to be a very nasty business. I would gladly have the help of yourself and your crew, but it would not be right to ask it. This is a private quarrel, and there would be no justification for risking you or any of them being killed or wounded. But there is one way in which you could help us.'
Amedo gave a courteous little bow, `You are correct, Senhor, in that I have no right to expose my men to danger in such an affair, but, that apart, be pleased to express your wishes.!
'It is a matter of arms,' Gregory replied. `Unfortunately, very few of the Ratu's body guard have modern weapons, so they will be at a great disadvantage against the Colons. In a yacht such as this it is usual to carry a few firearms against emergencies and, if that is the case with you, I should be most grateful if I might have the loan of them:
`We have two rifles, four sporting guns and, including my own, three pistols. Provided the Senhora gives her permission, I should be happy to place them at your disposal.'
`Thank you, Captain. I'm sure the Senhora will agree, and that will enable me to equip much more satisfactorily several of the Ratu's men who have only muzzle loading muskets: After a moment Gregory added with a smile, `As they have never handled repeaters, we must hope there won't be any accidents, but that is my responsibility.'
For three quarters of an hour they talked very amicably, then Captain Amedo excused himself and went off to his quarters. Shortly afterwards Manon came in, smiled at Gregory and said, ' Olinda wasn't sick and I managed to calm her down. I found her aspirin, too, and gave her a couple. Soon after, she dropped off and she is now sleeping soundly; so as a doctor you are to be congratulated: