“Oh yes, if we do not stay too long. It will rouse him up and do him good mentally, to feel that he has some interest in the management of the ship.”
“Then come along,” said the mate. “But where is Mr Preddle?”
“Gone to look after his fish,” I said; for he was always snatching every opportunity to go and see how the salmon and trout fry were getting on.
“Go and fetch him, Dale.”
I had to pass Mr Frewen on my way, and I seized the opportunity to whisper to him—
“I shall hang back till you come to the door, and signal to me that Miss Denning has gone. She mustn’t see me like this.”
He smiled, and I went forward to where Mr Preddle was making himself very hot by using the bellows to aerate the water.
“Yes—yes, of course,” he said. “I’ll come.” And hastily putting on the light flannel jacket he had removed, he followed me toward the saloon.
“They will not make a rush and get out while we are away, will they?” he said, with an uneasy look over his shoulder.
“They are well watched,” I replied, “and we shall not be very long.”