I breathed heavily through my nose, and headed for the porthole again, paused beside it, and took a quick look inside. I very nearly let out a cheer.
Paula was sitting in an armchair, facing me. She was reading a magazine, a worried little frown on her face. She looked very lovely and lonely. I had hoped to find her on this deck. I couldn’t think where else they could hide her, but I hadn’t expected to find her so quickly.
I examined the door of the cabin. There was a bolt on the outside and it was pushed home. I slid it back, turned the handle and pushed. The door opened and I went in. It was like walking into a glass-house in mid-summer.
Paula started up out of her chair at the sight of me. For a moment she didn’t recognize me in the white ducks and the cap, then she flopped limply back in the chair and tried to smile. The look of relief in her eyes was a good enough reward for that trip I had made in the packing-case.
“How are you getting on?” I said, and grinned. If she hadn’t been so damned self-controlled I would have kissed her.
“All right. Did you have any trouble getting here?” She tried to sound casual, but there was a shake in her voice.
“I managed. At least they don’t know I’m here yet. Jack and Mike will be out around nine. We may have to swim.”
She drew in a deep breath and got to her feet.
“I knew you’d come, Vic.” Then just when I thought she was going to let her hair down, she went on, “But you shouldn’t have come alone. Why didn’t you bring the police?”
“I didn’t think they would come,” I said. “Where’s Anona?”