The handle was tried. The door shook ever so little. The two inside gazed at the props and held their breath. If one of them should be shaken down!
"Ay, it's locked all right; and I reckon it's true enough about the girl sleeping with the key under her pillow, and all."
"Blast your reckonings!" said Bill. "Make sure the key ain't in the door on t'other side."
The thimbleful of starlit sky which Naomi had been watching for the last minute and a half was suddenly wiped away. She heard Bo's'n breathing hard as he stooped and peered. The key grew colder in her hand.
"No, there ain't no key, Bill."
"That's all right. They're both in their beds then, and that little suck-o'-my-thumb hasn't got here yet. When he does, God 'elp him!"
The voices were those of Bill and Bo's'n. For the moment these two seemed to be alone together.
"Ay, ay, we'd string the beggar up fast enough another time!"
"String him up? Yes, by his heels, and shoot holes through him while he dangled."
"Beginning where you don't kill. Holy smoke! but I wish he'd turn up now."