“I dare not stay longer now, dear mother, as the stewardess will be coming down. But keep up heart, for I have some idea that we may have a friend on board after all. Hush! I can’t say more, someone is coming.”
It was quite excusable of Miss Chain after such an exciting episode to throw herself on a lounge, and she thought it might allay suspicion if she affected indisposition.
When Miss Dove entered the cabin, she was looking very pale and anxious, but Miss Chain made her a sign not to address her at present. Thinking the ladies were both ill, the stewardess again strongly recommended her marine cordial, as she called it.
“You need not be suspicious of it. I will prepare it in your presence, ladies. It will do neither of us any harm, I assure you, and I will drink some of it myself first, if you like.”
“You must not suppose that we mistrust you, stewardess,” said Miss Chain, who had aroused herself. “We are intending to make you a liberal present if you are kind and true to us, and it may pay you better to study our comfort and safety, than to oblige others on board of this ship. Perhaps you don’t know that this young lady is a magistrate’s daughter, and that, when she is found to be missing, this vessel will be pursued, and all confederates in these criminal proceedings of kidnapping will be brought to justice.”
“Oh, lor’, miss, I’m no confederate, but only a hired servant. There, come into this other cabin, where we shall not be overheard.”
“Certainly,” said Miss Chain, “if you will not mind if we have a few words there alone first.”
“By all means, ladies. That cabin is entirely at your disposal. No one will interrupt you there, and in the meantime, I will see after my other charge. But I hope you won’t think badly of me,” went on the garrulous woman, “for I’m not mixed up with these parties as have hired the yacht. I was told it was simply an elopement, and that I should be well paid for my services.”
“But can’t you see,” said Miss Chain, “that it is a vile kidnapping affair?”
“Oh, good Lord! And me a respectable Sussex woman. What a fool I was not to have made inquiries before I ventured on board the old Panther.”