"How do you know that, miss?" he asked.
"I only think so. The Quiet Gentleman has disappeared. Probably he killed the doctor, and then took my father's body."
"It might be so, miss. If I find him----"
Joe repeated his former savage declaration, and Miss Vicky duly shuddered.
"Then you can't help us in any way, Joe?" said Alan, eying him thoughtfully.
"No, sir, I can't. I don't know who carried off the Cap'n, and I don't know who stabbed the doctor. If I did, I'd kill him. When you find him, sir, let me know."
After which speech the old sailor again pulled his forelock, scraped his foot, and rolled out of the room. He appeared somewhat relieved to get away.
Alan did not quite know what to make of Joe. The man was so nervous that it seemed as though he knew something and was afraid of committing himself. On the other hand, this sailor was devoted to Sophy, and had been in Marlow's service for thirty years. It was only reasonable to conclude, therefore, that he would wish her to benefit by any knowledge he might possess. On the whole, Alan was perplexed, but he kept it to himself, determining, nevertheless, to keep an eye on Joe. When the door was closed, Sophy turned to Alan.
"Alan," she said slowly, "I love you dearly, as you know, and I wish to become your wife. But I swear by the memory of my father that until you find out who has done this wicked thing and bring the man to justice, I will not marry you!"
"Sophy!" cried Thorold entreatingly.