CHAPTER XLVIII

Julius Takes Action Ships and their ways were mysteries to Julius Savini. He had travelled by sea, but he had never been on board a ship that was quite like the _Contessa_. Reaching the well of the foredeck, he glanced round: a steel ladder which led to the upper deck where the boats were swung, offered the most likely place of concealment, and he climbed quickly, his weapon of offence under his arm. It was a short-bladed sword, and he had stolen it from a small boy who had been its proud possessor a quarter of an …