The instinct of self-preservation alone saved him in his frenzy from blurting forth the tidings of the girl's flight.

Incoherent with fear and passion, he contrived to give orders for his carriage, and was driven to his office.

Thence he dispatched telegrams to every signaling station in England, Ireland, and Spain, at which by the remotest possibility the _Andromeda_ might be intercepted.

He cabled to Madeira and Cape Verde, even to Fernando Noronha and Pernambuco; he sent urgent instructions to the pilotage authorities of the Bristol Channel, the southwest ports, and Lisbon; and the text of every message was: "_Andromeda_ must return to Liverpool instantly." But the wretched man realized that he was doomed.

Fate had struck at him mercilessly.