"I don't think it was that, sir. It sounded more like—"
"I tell you I heard it perfectly. Don't stand arguing. Come on! It's too late; but we'll finish the round, or at least until we meet Tames. Ouch! Great—"
The remainder of the sentence was blurred, yet high-pitched. A minute later Miss Chalmers heard:
"If it was Patrick who left that lawn-mower standing out I'll ship him off to-morrow. Why in blazes didn't you throw a light on it?"
"Sorry, sir. But you've got the torch, sir."
"Shut up! Come on!"
The men began moving again. Miss Chalmers calmly reached down and tore a large piece of expensive goods from the bottom of her skirt. This in turn she tore in halves. Then she carefully swathed the swivels.
When the oars were replaced they made a sound so soft that it could not have been heard a dozen feet. Keeping her distance from the shore-line, she followed the searchers.
The man who seemed to own the island began to talk again:
"He'd have had the silverware and the whole works if it hadn't been for me. It's a pity I have to do all the hearing for this house. I don't see why my servants can't have insomnia once in a while. What are they paid for? I have it, so I suppose everybody else thinks it's all right to imitate the Seven Sleepers. You're quite sure he didn't take any of the silverware?"