With much shouting the boat was brought to the side of the barge. The
Professor was hauled up. He stumbled blindly across towards the gangway
and came up the steps with amazing speed. He came straight to Quest and
Lenora and gripped the former by the arm.

"Look!" he cried. "Look!"

He held out a card. Quest read it aloud:--

"There is not one amongst you with the wit of a Mongar child.
Good-bye!"

"THE HANDS!"

"Where did you get it?" Quest demanded.

"That's the point--the whole point!" the Professor exclaimed excitedly.
"He's done us! He's landed! That paper was pushed into my hand by a tall
Arab, who mumbled something and hurried off across the docks. On the
landing-stage, mind!"

The Captain came and put his head out of the door.

"Mr. Quest," he said, "can you spare me a moment? You can all come, if you
like."

They moved up towards him. The Captain closed the door of his cabin. He
pointed to a carpet-sweeper which lay against the wall.