"Y-es," returned Leroy meditatively.  "He promised you that, did he?  I remember your telling me so.  But, unfortunately for you, he never said a word upon the matter to me, and he is far too sick just now to be worried about that or anything else.  I am very much afraid, therefore, Monsieur Fortescue, that you will be obliged to let this opportunity pass; for, you see, I could not possibly take it upon myself to release you and give you even the dinghy without first receiving definite instructions from the captain."