The Marquis cleared his throat and carried on,
“I wasted no more time. I remembered noticing the day before that a yacht was lying in the mouth of the river some ten miles from here. My greys covered the distance in record time, but, when I arrived, the yacht had weighed anchor and was just putting out to sea.”
“Dear God, what did you do?” Maria wanted to know.
She was listening to him fascinated, bending forward in her chair, her hands clasped tightly together as if she could hardly bear the suspense.
“I saw a Revenue Cutter moving down the river. I explained to the Officer who I was and told him it was imperative that I should board the yacht immediately. He was, I am glad to say, extremely obliging.”
The Marquis ceased speaking and Maria quizzed him quickly,
“Is that all? What hap
