He smiled grimly.

"Things have been quiet enough the last few days," he said. "There's
Harris on this barge. Look at Laura waving to him!"

The Scotland Yard man only glanced up at them. He was occupied in leaning
over towards Laura, who was on the deck below.

"If you said the word," he called out, "I wouldn't be going back, Miss
Laura. I'd stick to the ship fast enough."

She laughed at him gaily.

"Not you! You're longing for your smoky old London already. You cut it
out, my friend. You're a good sort, and I hope we'll meet again some day.
But--"

She shook her head at him good-humouredly. He turned away, disappointed,
and waved his hand to Lenora and Quest on the upper deck.

"Coming on shore, any of you?" he enquired.

"We may when the boat moves up," Quest replied. "The Professor went off on
the first barge. Here he is, coming back."

A little boat had shot out from the docks, manned by a couple of Arabs.
They could see the Professor seated in the stern. He was poring over a
small document which he held in his hand. He waved to them excitedly.

"He's got news!" Quest muttered.