“See if you can manage to get past him, and I will help you into our boat.”
“I’ll try.” She nodded, with a brave effort to show reassurance.
Orme frowned at the Japanese. “What are you doing with this young lady?” he demanded.
“No understand.”
“Yes, you do understand. You understood well enough when you robbed me this evening.”
“No understand,” the Japanese repeated.
The girl, meantime, had moved slowly from her position. The two boats were close together. Suddenly, after a swift glance from Orme, the girl stepped to the gunwale and leaped across the gap. Orme reached forward and caught her, drawing her for a brief instant close into his arms before she found her footing in the cockpit.
“Splendid!” he whispered, and she tossed her head with a pretty smile of relief.
Porter had been standing close by, the boathook in his hands. “Is there anything more to be done?” he asked of Orme.