“Then how can it be possible that your brother officer can be here? There is no one to keep him a prisoner.”
“Well, it doesn’t seem likely,” said the officer, in a disappointed tone. “Unless,” he added, “these viragoes of women are keeping him, out of spite.”
“There’s not the slightest probability of that,” said the captain. “I’m afraid, sir, that you will find an accident has befallen him.”
The lieutenant shook his head, and then turned to Aleck.
“You have a boat and a wonderfully retired nook where you keep her! Where is it—down below here?”
“Your men came to the mouth of it last time you were here.”
“What, last night?”
“No, no; a fortnight ago.”
“Ah, yes, I remember. You mean that narrow split in the rock; but surely no boat could go in there?”
“Mine goes in, and out too,” said Aleck; “and it’s nearly as big as yours. But what of that?”