Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/371

Rh the St. Petersburg. And, dear old chap, believe me, I would not have put it over you so violently these last days—particularly have had you locked up as I did to-day—for the mere carrying out of my little game. As you know now, I had to do it to get off the ship myself. Really, I had no choice. For, you see, I rather feared, as it developed, that the beastly old Bahia had reached Brazil, and that my true description must be on the cables, even if our stupid police had not already gained it in England and cabled it across. Truly, I felt that I was cutting it a bit too fine unless I could have the police held off until after I landed. Therefore, dear chap, I had to lock you up. But, to compensate you for that as much as possible, I took care to have your really most wonderful friend, Miss Varris, held with you till you could read her this—if, as I scarcely believe, it may still be necessary. For I more than half suspect that this morning, though she was meek enough, she had begun to appreciate that the night before you had 341