Porter looked straight into Orme’s eyes. “Do the papers belong to you?” he demanded.
“No.” Orme spoke quietly. “They belong to this young lady—or, rather, to her father. This Japanese, and the other one, there on the shore, stole them.”
“What is the lady’s name?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“But the police——”
“It isn’t a matter for the police. Please trust me, Mr. Porter.”
The life-saver stood irresolute.
“If this boat is damaged, I’ll make it good five times over,” continued Orme.
“Oh, it wouldn’t hurt the boat. A few scratches, perhaps. It’s the other boat I’m thinking of.”
“It’s pretty grim business, I know,” remarked Orme.