“No other houseboats?” the caller asked, showing white even teeth, pretty in spite of the carmined lips.
“No, only this one,” Terry told her. “But I didn’t know it had a name.”
“Then that must be it, my dear. Can you tell me how to reach it?”
“You’ll have to go back through the village, then along a swampy road to the edge of the bay. The road is rather bad because of the rain last night.”
“Through the village? Is there no other way? I did not understand one had to go through the village,” the woman remarked vaguely.
“Unless you go by boat. I don’t know of any other way of getting there,” Terry answered.
The woman seemed to be considering. She tapped her hand impatiently on the letter she had taken from her purse, and looked around her as though trying to get her bearings and to make some decision.
“But how can I get a boat? It is very important that I get over there. I don’t suppose—I would be glad to pay you—if—— Could you take me over? Have you a boat?” the dark woman asked abruptly.
“Yes,” answered Terry. “I could take you over, and of course I’d be glad to do it.”
“Can we go at once?” the woman asked nervously.