The girls and the three boys, who were dripping wet, stood and stared at her.
"Do speak!" said Cecil, catching Jimmy by the shoulders and turning him toward her. "Let Matilda alone. What did you say about Kate?"
"That—that no one can find her. She's nowhere along the shore," said Jimmy.
"But why should she be there at all?"
"She was there. An old fisherman saw her; he saw her more than two hours ago. She was going toward the caves where the skeletons are."
"Well," said Cecil, "well, speak! What is it, Jimmy? What is the matter? You look—terrified."
"I am," said Jimmy; "I can't help it. It takes a great deal to make a coward of me, but I am a coward now. It is Kitty, you know, Cecil. Cecil, they say the caves are completely covered; the others say they must be full of water now, and—and it's Kitty. If she's there, she's drowned like a rat. Oh, I'm going to help! I'll go back—I will help! Maurice and Mr. Danvers sent me back, but I will help to find her."
"I can't realize it," said poor Cecil, putting her hand to her forehead. "What are Maurice and Mr. Danvers doing?"
"They are going to take out a lifeboat to try and reach the caves."
"But they'll be drowned, too," said Molly.