Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/164

144 hand up to enjoin perfect silence on his men; a man appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and looking from one side to another, James ran up to him.

"Mr. Halliburtt?"

"I am he," replied the man with the cloak.

"God be praised!" cried James Playfair; "embark without losing a minute. Where is Crockston?"

"Crockston!" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt, amazed. "What do you mean?"

"The man who has saved you and brought you here was your servant Crockston."

"The man who came with me was the jailer from the citadel," replied Mr. Halliburtt.

"The jailer!" cried James Playfair.

Evidently he knew nothing about it, and a thousand fears crowded in his mind.

"Quite right, the jailer," cried a well-known voice; "the jailer is sleeping like a top in my cell."

"Crockston! you! can it be you?" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt.

"No time to talk now, master; we will explain everything to you afterwards; it is a question of life or death. Get in quick!"

The three men took their places in the boat.

"Push off!" cried the captain.

Immediately the six oars dipped into the water; the boat darted through the waters of Charleston Harbor.

boat, pulled by six robust oarsmen, flew over the water. The fog was growing dense, and it was with difficulty that James Playfair succeeded in keeping to the line of his bearings Crockston sat at the bows, and Mr. Halliburtt at the stern next the captain. The prisoner, only now informed of the presence of his servant, wished to speak to him, but the latter enjoined silence.

However, when they were in the middle of the harbor, Crockston determined to speak, knowing what thoughts were uppermost in Mr. Halliburtt's mind.