The vessel was to remain four days in port, to discharge her cargo and take in another, and Suleiman had talked of remaining at Acre until she sailed, but Gervaise protested strongly against this.

“You have your family, from whom you have been so long separated, awaiting your return with anxiety, and I pray you to make no stay on my account.  I am well content to remain on board here, and to look at the city which has so often been the theatre of great deeds —­ which Richard the Lion Heart captured, and which so many of the Hospitallers died to defend.  I was charged by the grand master not to land, and indeed I feel myself that it would be an act of folly to do so.  There are doubtless many on shore who have relatives and friends now working as slaves among us, and some of these might well seek to avenge them by slaying one of the Order.  I feel your kindness, but it would be a pain to me to know that you were lingering here on my account, when you must be longing to embrace your children.”

The four days passed rapidly.  Gervaise had, at the suggestion of the governor, laid aside the mantle and insignia of the Order.

“If you do not do so,” he said, “I must place a strong guard of soldiers on board, in order to ensure that the pasha’s safeguard is not violated.  Sailors are a turbulent race, and were you recognised here they might make a tumult, and slay you before a word of what was going on reached me.  In any case I shall place two soldiers on board until you leave the port.”

On the morning of the fifth day the sails were got up, and the vessel sailed out from the port.  Fortune again favoured them, and they reached Rhodes without any adventure.  Gervaise went at once to the palace, and handed over the purse of gold to the treasurer.  He then sent up his name to the grand master, and was immediately conducted to his room.

“I am glad to see you back, Tresham.  I have been uneasy about you.  Have you fulfilled your mission without adventure?”

“Without any adventure, sir, save that we were once chased by a pirate on our way east, but escaped in the darkness.  Save for that, the voyage has been wholly uneventful.  I have received the ransom, and handed the purse to your treasurer.”

“I am glad that your first command has turned out so well.  I will see that you do not lack employment; and the fact that you are able to act as interpreter will ensure you a welcome on any galley.  At present, however, it is not my intention to send out many cruisers.  Every life now is precious, and no amount of spoil that can be brought in will counter balance the loss of those who fall.  However, I may find some mission on which you can be employed.  I know that you love an active life; and as, for nine months, you have put a rein on your inclinations, and have devoted yourself wholly to study, so that you might be of greater use to the Order, you have a good right to any employment in which your knowledge can be utilised.”