Fenner let her go and stood back. He touched his face with his fingers, then pulled a blanket off the bunk and threw it over her. She lay looking at him with terrified eyes. He nodded and went out, shutting the door and turning the key. He pulled the key out and put it in his pocket.
Miller was sitting up, holding his head. He mumbled a hoarse stream of obscenities. Fenner didn’t look at him; he went over to the cockpit and climbed down.
Reiger said, “What’s goin’ on?”
Fenner had difficulty in keeping his voice steady. “That heel Miller was after the girl. I bounced him.”
Reiger shrugged. “She’ll get it sooner or later. Why not start now?”
Fenner didn’t answer. He was looking at a tiny moving light on their portside. He hastily looked away before Reiger noticed. He wondered if it was a patrol boat.
Miller, who had staggered to his feet, saw it,- and yelled a warning. Reiger looked and span the wheel.
“Coast guards,” he said; “maybe they won’t spot us.”
The boat was still running without lights, but the moon had climbed above the belt of clouds, and the big white wash showed up pretty well.
Fenner watched the light, saw it swing round a little and head towards them. He said gently, “They’ve seen us all right.”