The light faded as they crept across the inlet before a faint breeze, but when they had got the anchor over and the boat into the water, Carroll made out two dim figures standing on the wharf and waved a hand to them.
“It’s Drayton, I think,” he said. “Kitty’s with him.”
They pulled ashore, and Drayton shook hands with them.
“I’ve been looking out for you since noon,” he said. “What about that spruce?”
There was eagerness in his voice, and Vane’s face clouded. “We couldn’t find a trace of it.”
Drayton’s disappointment was obvious, though he tried to hide it. “Well,” he said resignedly, “I’ve no doubt you did all you could.”
“Of course,” Kitty broke in. “We’re quite sure of that.”
Vane thanked her with a glance; he felt sorry for her and Drayton. They were strongly attached to each other, and he had reason for believing that even with the advanced salary the man expected to get they would find it needful to study strict economy.
“I’m going to make another attempt. I expect some of our difficulties will vanish after I’ve had a talk with Hartley,” he said.
Kitty looked grave. “That’s impossible,” she answered softly. “Hartley died a week ago.”