Her voice was drowned in the thunder of waves and wind.
Neil led her to a small chamber in the rocks, lighted from above, and where the tumult was softened into a dull roar; and she repeated her question.
'No, Miss Marjorie, I hef not seen him,' answered Neil. Their voices sounded strangely muffled, the force of the breakers making the walls of the little cavern tremble.
'Then, Neil, you must leave this at once; the caves will be flooded in another minute, and I've come all this way to warn you.'
'Did you, Miss Marjorie? Did you indeed? You came to warn me. No, indeed; I cannot let you stay here.'
'How are we to get out, Neil? I think the tide is at the foot of the cliffs now?'
As she spoke a stream of water broke in and ran along the floor of their little shelter.
'It iss too late to get out that way now, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil; 'and in any case it would be too slippery that the cliffs would be. I will pe knowing an opening leading to the moor, where it's not difficult to climb up. Come this way.'
He helped her along the passages. Soon they were in total darkness. The flood was gaining upon them, and the noise rendered it impossible to exchange a word. Sometimes the water hissed and gurgled at their heels, and sometimes they plunged ankle-deep into pools.
They slipped and scrambled along, Marjorie clinging to her guide; and presently a glimmer of light came from above.