Cleigh smiled dryly, but offered no comment. He knew all about Cunningham’s capital.
“Did he say anything about being picked up by another boat?” asked Dennison.
“No,” answered Jane. “But I don’t believe it will be hard for me to make him tell me that. I believe that he will keep his word, too.”
“Jane, he has broken the law of the sea. I don’t know what the penalty is these days, but it used to be hanging to the yard-arm. He won’t be particular about his word if by breaking it he can save his skin. He’s been blarneying you. You’ve let his plausible tongue and handsome face befog you.”
“That is not true!” she flared. Afterward she wondered what caused the flash of perversity. “And I resent your inference!” she added with uplifted chin.
Dennison whirled her about savagely, stared into her eyes, then walked to the companion, up 178 which he disappeared. This rudeness astonished her profoundly. She appealed silently to the father.
“We are riding a volcano,” said Cleigh. “I’m not sure but he’s setting some trap for you. He may need you as a witness for the defense. Of course I can’t control your actions, but it would relieve me immensely if you’d give him a wide berth.”
“He was not the one who brought me aboard.”
“No. And the more I look at it, the more I am convinced that you came on board of your own volition. You had two or three good opportunities to call for assistance.”
“You believe that?”