And the voice: “You’ll be wishing it more when you’re in the penitentiary.”
Then Candon could almost hear the perplexed Hank scratching his head. A long pause. Then Hank:
“But for the Lord’s sake, you don’t think we want to do you any harm?”
The voice: “Then what did you want to do?”
Hank: “Get you away from that lot.”
The voice: “What for?”
Hank: “What for—why to save you from them—to save you body and soul—didn’t you know they were taking you to perdition,—clean perdition.”
Then the voice, after a moment’s pause: “I don’t know whether you’re toughs or religious cranks. It doesn’t matter. Anyhow this door doesn’t open s’long as it’s dark. Now clear, come again in the morning and, if you take my advice, steer straight for Santa Barbara. If you put me ashore safe by morning maybe I’ll try and help you with the police, but I don’t promise—now clear.”
Hank cleared.
On deck he found George who had come aft. “She’s gone bughouse,” said Hank, “or else she was one of them, helping in the contraband.”