"Come, come. They're not going to get in as easily as all that. And if they do, what with the Winchester——"
"Hush!" said Engelhardt. He was kneeling among the props, with his ear close to the bottom of the door.
All three listened. The voices were louder and more distinct. The men had come outside.
"I don't believe she's there at all," said one. "I see no light."
"Go you and have a look, Bo's'n. Prick the old squaw up with the p'int o' your knife. But if you find her trying to hide, or up to any o' them games, I'd slit her throat and save the barney."
"By cripes, so would I!"
"Ay, ay, messmates, but we'll see—we'll see."
All the voices were nearer now. Naomi had taken Mrs. Potter's hand, and was squeezing it white. For some moments they could make out nothing more. Bo's'n had evidently gone over to the kitchen. The other two were talking in low tones somewhere near the well-palings. Suddenly a muffled shout from the kitchen reached every ear.
"She's not here at all."