There was a sound of a rough engine vehicle, and a big covered lorry came trundling slowly along the wharf. It pulled up alongside the ship, and the captain immediately snapped out an order, telling the men to get the stuff on board as quickly as possible.

He watched the work begin, then pulled on a jacket and ran down the gangway. But instead of going to the harbor master's office by walking along the wharf, he came straight towards the steps where Layla was hiding. Hastily, she fled back behind the wall and scuttled several yards along towards the sea, bent double to avoid being seen.

She could hear...