"Yes. I'm not sure it wouldn't be better and easier to stop here and let the water come up. It would save a lot of trouble." She laughed again.
With a faint shudder, Leslie turned away from the dark eyes and seized the speaker's arm.
"You must come at once!" she said firmly.
The woman drew back for a moment; then, as if yielding against her will, allowed Leslie to draw her forward.
They hurried over the rocks in silence for a moment or two, the waves splashing against their feet; then Leslie stopped and uttered an exclamation, her eyes fixed on the cliff before them, her face suddenly pale.
"What is the matter? Are we too late?" asked her companion dully and indifferently.
"Yes, we are too late!" replied Leslie in a low voice. Then she caught her breath and forced a smile. "Do not be frightened. We may get round the other way; the ledge of rock is wider there, but it is more difficult to get over. We must go back. Follow me."
She turned and sprang quickly from rock to rock, and her companion followed her example. They gained the spot where the girl had been sitting, but it was now covered by the sea, and they had to wade ankle deep.
Leslie caught the girl's hand.
"Hold fast!" she said in a quick whisper. "If we gain that point there, where the rock sticks out——."