|
He dropped over the yachts side into the cockleshell of a boat,and the old man
took up the sculls. I do notknow much, but I know enough to see that you are in
deadly danger. The small face wasvery pale, and there were dark lines under the
eyes. I anchored below in the fog, and anold man came out in a boat and asked
me to come ashore. I remembera long causeway and steps cut in the rock. There
was no furniture of any kind, and theplace smelt damp and chilly like a
vault.
Tellme very carefully everything that has happened since you came herea
week ago.
Then helocked it and flung the key overboard.
She spoke in so assured
a tone that Vernon was piqued. Afterwards Vernon, ashis custom was, sat alone
in the stern, smoking and thinking histhoughts. I think Iwill burn it, for it
has hideous associations for me. The wind had dropped utterly, andthe land
which they saw was only an outline in the haze.
She cast an anxious glance at
Vernon as if to inquire how he hadfared at her mistresss hands.
The House had a
finewell in the stableyard on the east side. That would bethe torches on the
Dancing Floor, where the people waited for theepiphany. She stood before him,
an abashed, obstinate child.
He dropped over the yachts side into the
cockleshell of a boat,and the old man took up the sculls. But I donot think
there will be shooting.
Do you mind if we go backto where we breakfasted, for I
left my pipe there. He was waiting, pistol in hand, beside the road, and in a
trice hadhis gun at my head.
|
