"I am so sorry you are leaving," he said; "selfishly sorry, I mean.
I'd hoped you all would be here for several days." He looked
inquiringly toward Livingstone.

"I understood the SERAPIS was disabled," he explained.

"She is," answered Hanley. "So's the RALEIGH. At a pinch, the
admiral might have stretched the regulations and carried me to
Jamaica, but the RALEIGH's engines are knocked about too. I've GOT
to reach Kingston Thursday. The German boat leaves there Thursday
for New York. At first it looked as though I couldn't do it, but we
find that the Royal Mail is due to- day, and she can get to
Kingston Wednesday night. It's a great piece of luck. I wouldn't
bother you with my troubles, "the senator explained pleasantly,
"but the agent of the Royal Mail here won't sell me a ticket until
you've put your seal to this." He extended a piece of printed
paper.

As Hanley had been talking, the face of the consul had grown grave.
He accepted the paper, but did not look at it. Instead, he regarded
the senator with troubled eyes. When he spoke, his tone was one of
genuine concern.

"It is most unfortunate," he said. "But I am afraid the ROYAL MAIL
will not take you on board. Because of Las Bocas," he explained.
"If we had only known!" he added remorsefully. "It is MOST
unfortunate."

"Because of Las Bocas?" echoed Hanley.