`I suppose they are.' James gave a heavy sigh. `The question is, what do we do now? We can't possibly leave Manon to be subjected to hideous tortures. As I think I told you, Olinda made the licence over to me two nights ago. So we can go off to the Pigalle right away and ransom Manon with it. On the other hand, to attack the ship during the hours of darkness would be very different from exposing ourselves again in daylight. So I feel sure my body guard would jump at the chance to avenge their comrades. When they get back we could set off with them at once and, with luck, both rescue Manon and capture these filthy Colons. But there is the risk that if we attack they may kill Manon before we can get her. So it is for you to say. My feeling is that we must throw in our hand and let Lacost have this accursed licence:
`Maybe you're right,' Gregory muttered. `We have to bear in mind that if we attack, although we'd have the cover of darkness, we won't catch the Colons napping. They will anticipate that we may, so be ready for us. In any case, even if they don't think we'll dare risk it they will be up and about, waiting for us to arrive with the licence. But since you told me about your dust up with Roboumo I've been toying with an idea, and I've still got to think a little. Meantime I want to pump ship, so I'm going to my bure:
Leaving James and Hamie staring at each other in silent hostility, Gregory walked out of the big room and across the few yards to the smaller bure which he had shared with Manon. As he entered the bathroom his glance immediately fell on a piece of paper lying on the lavatory seat. Picking it up, he saw a few pencilled lines hurriedly scrawled by Manon. They read
On no account come off to the Pigalle. If you do I feel certain Lacost intends to murder you. But, provided he gets the licence, I'm sure he won't vent his spite on me if you don't bring it yourself. Send Hamie Baker with it, then they will let me go.
Evidently, before the Colons had carried off Manon, they had allowed her to use the bathroom, and she had seized the opportunity to leave this message. It confirmed certain ideas that Gregory had already, formed and decided him to take the course he had been contemplating. With a grim smile he pushed the paper into his pocket, had a quick wash to rid his hands and face of the dirt he had picked up on Roboumo's island, then returned to the main bure.
James was still glowering at Hamie. As Gregory appeared, he turned to him and asked, `Well, what have you decided? My body guard is back. You can hear them singing outside, as they are getting down to the food and kava which I ordered to be left ready for them. Do we lead them in another attack, or do you and I go off to the Pigalle and sign away the licence?'
`We do neither,' Gregory replied quietly. Manon left a message for me in the loo. She's convinced that Lacost will not take it out on her if I fail to turn up with the licence. But all the same I want you to go out and get your boys on parade again before they've drunk too much kava.'
`You do mean us to attack the Pigalle, then?'
`No. We are going to attack Roboumo's island.'
James' eyebrows went up. `In God's name, why?'
`Because, with the Colons on the alert, your body guard might not be sufficiently strong to get the best of things. We've got to have Roboumo's toughs with us to make certain of overwhelming Lacost and his pals.'
`But damn it, man, after what happened an hour ago he'd never allow them to become our allies:
`I mean to put him in a spot that will render him powerless. The fact that you got away from him unharmed will both have shaken his own men's confidence in him and stiffened the morale of yours; so I don't think we need fear very serious opposition. And after you told me about what happened in his bure I hit on the key to the whole situation.!
'The key to the situation?' James repeated in a puzzled voice.
`Yes; it's the White Witch. She is a prisoner. We are going in to rescue her. And she will be on our side. Without her, Roboumo will be a busted flush and his men will take your orders. With their aid the Pigalle and the treasure will be in our hands before morning.'
20 ?Death in the Dark Hours
As the body guard had arrived back from their hour's march only ten minutes earlier it was decided that they should be given a further quarter of an hour to rest and refresh themselves. James went out to warn them that he meant to lead them on another expedition and to tell Aleamotu'a of the new plan, leaving Gregory alone with Hamie.
The half caste diver had been a silent listener to all that had passed, so now Gregory said to him, `I am afraid you are in for an uncomfortable time these next few hours, Hamie. I can't risk your making off as soon as we have gone, getting back to the Pigalle and warning Lacost of our intentions. As there are no locks on the bure doors, I'll have to tie you up securely until we return.'
Hamie grinned. `That's all right by me, baas. Warnin' Mr. Lacost wouldn't prevent you attacking the Pigalle, an' I wouldn't care ter be aboard her when that happens; not wiv half a hundred of them fuzzywuzzies swarmin' on to her bangin' off rifles an' yellin' murder. I ain't done so bad, wot wiv the two hundred quid you give me an' the nice little wad he were fair enough ter pay me for me divin', before he left me here. Though I guess that were really so I'd feel it were up ter me ter stick around an' give you his message, 'stead of makin' off while no one were about. But ter my mind you're actin' stupid.'
`You think so?' Gregory smiled. `May I ask why?'
`Well, wot abart yer missus? Two o'clock were the deadline Mr. Lacost set fer you to go aboard the Pigalle wiv that licence, an 'it's arter midnight now. Maybe you'll put paid to the old witch guy by makin' off wiv his girl friend. But you can't do that an' get back ter attack the Pigalle in under_ a couple o' hours, can yer?
'No. You're right about that. It would take at least three hours.'
'O.K., then. An' that Lacost is an impatient type. Maybe he'll give you half an hour's leeway, but come half past two, or thereabouts, he'll decide you ain't goin' ter play an' start pullin' yer wife's toenails out.'
`I don't think he will. He's got nothing to gain by doing that.'
For a moment the diver remained thoughtful, then he said,. It’s your gamble, baas, not mine. But I wouldn't take a chance on it if he'd got ahold o' my gal. Still, p'raps there's somethin' in wot yer say. Be a pity ter make a mess of a lady like her to no purpose. In fact if I were in his shoes I'd act quite different. I'd up anchor, then take her down to me cabin an' do you know what.' '
`That is an unpleasant possibility that I have already considered,' Gregory replied. `But I have no means of preventing him from doing that at any time between now and when the moon goes down. And I must wait until then to attack; other wise, if he can see us coming, in, he might succeed in driving us off.'
'Blimey! Yer 'not goin' in till moonset? If yer wait that long, baas, you'll miss the boat. Time's runnin' out fer him. He's gotter get well clear o' Tujoa before the warship from Noumea turns up. If he don't he'll be good an' proper sunk. He jus' daren't hang around her more than an hour or so arter two o'clock.'
`Yes he will,' Gregory declared with conviction. `The gunboat can't possibly reach Revika in under thirty six hours from now, and the licence means everything to Lacost. With it, the odds are that he would be able to argue a committee of inquiry into believing that yesterday he honestly believed the Ratu to have tricked the police into aiding him in an attempt to rob the Colons of the treasure they had salvaged legitimately. Without it, he and his pals will be hunted men for the rest of their lives. Sooner or later the French authorities will get them, then they will go to the guillotine. When I fail to turn up he'll think of some way of trying to make a deal with us perhaps sharing the treasure or, as a last resort, turning the whole lot over to us in exchange for the licence. But you can take it from me, the Pigalle will still be lying off Tujoa until at least midday tomorrow.'