Scrambling out of the car, John glanced quickly up and down. Outside the cafes the broad quay was deserted, except for a group of three loungers standing some distance away on the edge of the pavement. In the uncertain light they looked like seamen, and he began to run towards them.
`Hi!' C. B. called after him. `Where are you off to?' Slowing his pace, he called back over his shoulder, `I'm
going to ask those chaps which the yacht is if she's still in the harbour.'
No, you're not.' In a few long strides C. B, caught up with him and added in his conspiratorial voice, `We don't want to let the whole town know our business. You go back to the car and leave this to me.'
After giving the crestfallen John's arm a friendly squeeze, he walked on to the end of the block and entered a cafe on the corner. He was absent for about six minutes. When he returned, he said
`She hasn't sailed yet; but you can't see her very well from here. Her berth is up near the entry to the port on the right hand side; and from the description I was given we can't mistake her. I'm told there is a good little fish restaurant up there that will still be open, and I'm beginning to miss my dinner; so while we are waiting for developments I think we'll have a snack at it.'
`Damn it, C. B.!' John exploded. `How can you be so heartless while that poor girl. ..'
`I know! While that poor girl is at the mercy of a double dyed villain. Try to be your age, John. Count Jules' only interest in Christina is to get her to England and collect a nice wad of banknotes. The odds are that he is feeding her on asparagus and peche Melba at the moment and that, in her present state of mind, she is thoroughly enjoying herself.'
`But you spoke of “waiting for developments”. Since the yacht's still here we mustn't waste a moment in finding out if she is on board. Why should we wait for anything?'
`Drive me to my chosen grazing ground, sonny, and I'll tell you on the way.'
With an ill grace John got the car moving, and C. B. went on in a lower tone, `I didn't telephone old Malouet only to ask after his health. The police always have several narks on tap in all these ports. I wanted the name of the best one here. He told me to ask for Henri at that cafe on the comer. It is the favourite bistro of the yacht stewards, and as barman there Henri picks up from them most of the dirt about what goes on. He pointed out de Grasse's yacht to me and he is going to slip out for a quarter of an hour to get us a little info'. By the time we have fortified the inner man with oysters and a glass of wine, I shall be very surprised if he is not able to let us know definitely whether Christina is on that yacht.'
In the back of the car Molly burbled her admiration for his efficiency with the same delight that a mother will display at seeing her offspring do its Parlour trick, but John only asked
`What happens if the yacht puts off in the meantime?' `Then you've had it, chum. There is nothing you can do to stop her sailing, anyway.'
They pulled up at the fish restaurant and went inside. Two of its tables only were occupied, by people lingering over the last stages of their dinners. C. B. chose one in a corner, which was well away from the other diners, and ordered marennes with a bottle of Pouilly. While they ate he talked in a low monologue about butterflies, the collection of which was his hobby; but his companions appeared singularly disinterested. When they had finished the oysters, he invited them to join him in attacking a dish of sea urchins, but they declined; so, still discoursing on the habits of the Papilo machaon, he set about a plate of the spiky crustaceans himself.
He was only half way through when the outer door opened and a short, tubby figure came in. C. B. glanced casually in the direction of the newcomer, then as though suddenly recognising an old acquaintance cried, `Hello, Henri! How is the world using you?'
The plump man had been advancing towards a buffet on which were displayed a selection of sea foods, fruit and cheeses. At the greeting he turned his head, smiled, swerved from his course and, coming up to the table, bowed politely. `Thank you, Monsieur; I cannot complain. It is a pleasure to see you here; but unexpected so early in the year. Do you stay long?'
`No, I am only down here on business for a few days this time.' C. B. added something about Henri mixing the best Angel's Kiss on the coast and introduced him to Molly and John in a mumble that made their names unintelligible. Meanwhile the patron of the place had come out from behind the buffet.
At his approach, Henri said, `Excuse me, please,' turned, shook hands with him and asked, `Can you let me have two dozen rosés? I have an American in my bar. He is a little drunk and he demands rosés to eat while he goes on drinking; so I said I would slip out and get him some.'
`Certainly.' The patron smiled. `A pleasure to oblige you, Monsieur Auer.'
As he went off to get a paper bag in which to put the prawns, Henri said to C. B., in a voice hardly above a whisper, `The crew were warned for to night, but given no hour of sailing. The girl is on the yacht. She arrived in the car of Count Jules at about nine. His chauffeur and the boatswain, Chopin, were with them. Chopin went off on foot I expect to let his crew know the hour at which they will be wanted. Count Jules took the girl on board. There was no suggestion of violence. They were laughing together.'
`Any idea when the yacht will sail?' murmured C. B.
`Not for a while yet, I think; otherwise the crew would have reported by now. It is possible that Count Jules is expecting a second passenger to arrive at a later hour. I fear there is no more that I can tell you.'
`Thanks; you have been most helpful.' C. B. slipped a five mille note into Henri's hand, and when the patron returned with the bag of prawns they were talking of the prospects for the summer season. Having shaken hands all round, Henri bowed himself out, and C. B. looked across at John.
`Now we know where we stand, anyway; and the situation might be worse. It would be if Jules had taken her to some dive along the coast, and we hadn't the faintest idea where to look for her. But her having gone on board willingly rules out your doing the irate fiancé stuff except at the risk of being arrested if you offer him or his people violence.'
`I could go to the yacht and demand to see her.'
`You could, but I doubt if it would get you much further. The odds are they would let you go below, then beat you up and afterwards hand you over to the police with a cut and dried story about your having started it.'
`To do that they would have to call the police in. Once they came on the scene I could bring a counter charge of assault against Jules and demand a full enquiry. There
would be a good hope then of the authorities preventing the yacht from sailing. To morrow morning Christina will be herself again, and whatever may happen to me, you and Mother would be able to get her away from them.'
C. B. shook his head. `I'm afraid it wouldn't work out like that. They are much too leery to call in the police before the yacht sails. They would probably just put you ashore in a boat just as she is leaving harbour. Or they might take you along to keep you out of mischief; then swear afterwards that the row had started only after she had sailed!'
`What do you suggest then?' John asked impatiently. `I flatly refuse to just sit here and let things take their course.'