As foreign steamers would leave London at about the time of high-water, our plan would be to get down the river by a previous ebb-tide, and lie by in some quiet spot until we could pull off to one.

The time when one would be due where we lay, wherever that might be, could be calculated pretty nearly, if we made inquiries beforehand.
Herbert assented to all this, and we went out immediately after breakfast to pursue our investigations.

We found that a steamer for Hamburg was likely to suit our purpose best, and we directed our thoughts chiefly to that vessel.

But we noted down what other foreign steamers would leave London with the same tide, and we satisfied ourselves that we knew the build and color of each.

We then separated for a few hours: I, to get at once such passports as were necessary; Herbert, to see Startop at his lodgings.