“I don’t want to lose a minute,” he went on, turning to George Lechmere.  “I know that an hour or even a day will make no material difference, but I am in a fever to be off.”

“Have you found out which way they have gone, Major?”

“I have found out that they have sailed for the south, but whether for the Mediterranean or for the West Indies or South America I have no idea; but I have some hopes of finding out by the time we get to Gibraltar.”

“And they have got a three days’ start of us?”

“Yes, I can hardly believe that it is not more.  It seems to me a fortnight since I went ashore to dine at the club.  Three days is a long start, and unless the change of rig has spoiled her, the Phantom is as fast, or very nearly as fast, as we are.  We can’t hope to catch her up, unless she stops for two or three days in a port, and that she is certain not to do.  No, I don’t think that there is any chance of our overtaking her until she has got to whatever may be her destination.  Of course, what Carthew counts upon is that, in time, he will get Miss Greendale to consent to marry him.  That is one reason why I think that he will not go up the Mediterranean.  The further he takes her the more hopeless the prospect will seem to her.”

“But she will never give in, Major,” George Lechmere said, confidently.

“I have no fear of that—­no fear whatever, and we may be quite sure that as long as he thinks that he will be able to tire her out he will show himself in his best light, and try to make everything as pleasant for her as is possible under the circumstances.  It is only when he loses all hope of her consenting willingly that he will show himself in his true light; and you know, George, he is scoundrel enough for anything.  However, I consider that she is perfectly safe for a long time, and I hope to be alongside the craft long before he becomes desperate.”

Half an hour later, the anchor was on the rail and the Osprey started on her voyage.  The tide being in her favour, she passed the Needles just as it was getting dark.  The breeze fell very light, and, although every stitch of canvas was put on, she was still some miles east of Portland when morning broke.  As the sun rose the wind freshened a bit, and she moved faster through the water.  The hands were mustered and divided into two watches, and the jerseys and red caps served out to the new hands.

“You had better give them the whole of the duck trousers, to fit themselves from, Captain,” Frank said.  “There are assorted sizes, you know, and when they have suited themselves you can take the other ten pairs into store.  You and the mates will want some when we get into warmer climates.”

“Are we bound for the Mediterranean?” Hawkins asked.

“To Gibraltar, to begin with.  What we shall do afterwards will depend upon what news I get there.  We may have to go round the world, for all I know.”