“Hist!” ejaculated Humphrey. “Is there any other way down to the beach?”
“Divil a bit, sor, that we could foind, and the boat’s yander, close inshore.”
He took a step or two in advance, and listened.
“I am sure I heard whispering,” said Humphrey; but all was still now, and feeling satisfied at last that it was the murmur of the waves, they crept on in utter silence, and were about to leave the shelter of the path by which they had come and make for the open sand when Dinny checked his companions, and they all stood listening, for a voice that was familiar said:
“The skipper’s full of fancies. He hasn’t been right since this captain was made prisoner, and he has been worse since the other prisoners escaped.”
“Other prisoners! What prisoners?” thought Humphrey.
“You hold your tongue!” growled the familiar voice of Bart. “Do you want to scare them off?”
“Scare whom off?”
“Those who try to escape. Silence!”
Mistress Greenheys reeled up against Humphrey and would have fallen but for his strong arm which encircled her, lifted her from the ground and held her firmly as he stepped softly back, followed by Dinny, who did not speak till they had reached the shelter of some trees.