"They're still hard at work. We shall have our chance soon."
Our plan was simple, if we could once get quit of our guards. One of the smaller boats lay on the starboard side, and, hanging outwards from the davits, could, from the slant of the _Sea Queen_ as she lay on the rocks, be easily dropped and floated. If we could lower her into the water and get the ladies into her, it would be possible, under cover of the darkness and the preoccupation of the mutineers, to reach the island. Once there, we must, of course, trust to our luck for food and shelter.
Legrand got to his feet and moved noiselessly towards the door. The yacht was comparatively still, and we could hear the lapping of the quiet sea beyond the broken windows. I followed him.
"We have one jack-knife," I whispered in his ear. He nodded.
"And there are two men," he whispered back.
"I don't think so. They did not turn the key last time. But it's a question of who's outside. If the body of the mutineers are still there, we're done. If the two are alone----"
"They are alone," I whispered. "I can hear no noise. They're hunting elsewhere."
"The darkness about suits us now. Explain to the ladies," he said under his breath. "Let them be ready directly we are."
I went back to the couch and poured out my story through the darkness. I spoke to two shadows, and as I did so a hand moved in the air and touched mine. I took it, and it was cold like the snows in January. I pressed it softly.
"Be of good heart. I will come back. And do not cry out."
Even as I stole back in that critical moment, my heart bounded, for I knew to whom the hand belonged. Body of Love! should not I know it in the grave? I reached Legrand.
"You take the nearest," said he. "A jack-knife carries farther."
"I shall want it," I said. "I have only my fingers."
"You shall have it," he said grimly. "One at a time. Fingers or throat, mind you, and no noise. Have you got your muscles back? You're a strong man, Phillimore, but, by heaven! all rests on your fingers. And you have been wounded?"
"I could tear down the pillars of Gaza at this moment," I replied. "My blood's afire."
"God be with us!" he muttered, and slowly turned the handle.
The door opened inwards, and in the darkness loomed a single figure. Legrand sprang, and the two disappeared in a heap upon the floor. I had leapt to one side and was feeling in the air for my enemy, but my hands took nothing, nor could my eyes make out any other figure in the gloom. Presently something rose from the floor, and I heard Legrand's voice.