Rosalind Chalmers was deserted by her cloak of calm disdain. She was in a panic.
A sudden change came over the boatman.
"Come on, buck up!" he said, cheerfully. "I'm sorry I made you cry. I take it all back—honest. Just forget it. We'll get out of this easy. Get your nerve now—quick! He'll be here in a couple of minutes. Be a sport, Miss Chalmers! Be a pal; just make believe you're the master mechanic again. Think hard now. We've got to hand him something."
"But he'll think that I—"
"No, he won't," declared Sam soothingly. "He won't have time to think anything. That's it; brace hard, now. I knew you were game."
He actually patted her on the shoulder. Somehow Rosalind neglected to resent the vulgar familiarity.
"Here! I've got the scheme!" he exclaimed. "Only you'll have to spiel it at him because I'm a dummy. Now, listen!"
CHAPTER XII
TURNING THE TABLES
Sam talked rapidly and with many gestures, the latter for the benefit of Reggy Williams in case Reggy might be looking up from the landing-place, where he was now making fast his boat.