The name of the vessel is the Black Swan. I return to
Southampton to-morrow, and I shall hope to see you in the course
of the next week."
"Come now," said I. "Tell me frankly what is the destination of
our voyage?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" he answered. "We are bound for the
Guinea coast of Africa."
"Then how can that be in the highest interests of the Emperor?" I
asked.
"It is in his highest interests that you ask no indiscreet
questions and I give no indiscreet replies," he answered,
sharply. So he brought the interview to an end, and I found
myself back in my lodgings with nothing save this bag of gold to
show that this singular interview had indeed taken place.
There was every reason why I should see the adventure to a
conclusion, and so within a week I was on my way to England. I
passed from St. Malo to Southampton, and on inquiry at the docks
I had no difficulty in finding the Black Swan, a neat little
vessel of a shape which is called, as I learned afterward, a
brig. There was Captain Fourneau himself upon the deck, and
seven or eight rough fellows hard at work grooming her and making
her ready for sea.
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