“Do pray explain yourself more clearly, it will be better for you. There is, we think,” cried Miss Dove, in a state of alarm, “some mistake or mystery about our being here.”
Then another groan was heard.
“Poor, dear lady, she is bad; I must go to her,” said the stewardess, as she left the saloon.
Then Edith Dove and Miss Chain made a rush for the deck to ascertain what was going on, but the steward, however, who was descending the companion ladder, begged the ladies to keep below for a short while, stating that the captain was himself coming down. Shortly afterwards he appeared, accompanied by the mate. Both seemed to be Frenchmen, and the mate the only one who could speak English intelligibly.
“We are running out a longer distance than we thought of doing before we turn, as we wish to sight the Dieppe steamer before doing so.”
This statement did not at all satisfy the ladies, particularly as the man had a repulsive appearance, whilst he limped as though he was not quite sober. However, he soon moved off in search of more drink. Then the captain, touching his hat most respectfully, handed a folded paper, on which was written in English,—“I am Captain Ami, and if you have faith in me no harm will befall you.” Then, saluting the ladies, he left them without another word.
But this announcement was so strange and unaccountable that Edith Dove and Miss Chain, though to some extent relieved, were still in an alarming state of fright lest this Captain Ami might be an agent, not of the Harbour Company, but of the man they most dreaded, namely Falcon.
“Couldn’t we further test this man and insist on going on deck?” said Miss Chain.
“Certainly, dear, we will go.”
And no hindrance was made to their doing this. When they stood on deck, they looked round them, and discovered that they were already some distance from the shore. Scanning the people on board, they were at once attracted by the presence of a slouching figure, who kept entirely in the fore part of the vessel, while the captain and the mate chatted together near the wheel.