“I think I’ll get Jim,” she said, shivering a little in her excitement. “This job is too big for me!”
She found her dressing-gown and a pair of noiseless slippers, and hurried down the dim alley, wondering how she should explain her presence if she met a steward or any of the watch. But it was three o’clock in the morning, when even night-stewards grow sleepy; there was no one visible. Faint snores came from sundry cabins as she passed. She came to Jim’s door; it was wide open, the curtain drawn across it. Norah tapped on it gently.
“Jim! Jim!” she said, very softly.
“Who’s there?” came a voice, prompt, but sleepy.
“It’s me—Norah.”
“What’s wrong?—is Dad ill?” Jim was out of bed, wide awake in an instant.
“No, he’s asleep. But there’s some one signalling, Jim!”
“Well, that’s the ship’s business,” said Jim, in natural bewilderment. “There are plenty of people on deck to receive signals. What are you worrying for, kiddie? Go back to bed.”
“Oh, it isn’t any one signalling to us!” Norah answered, impatiently. “I wouldn’t have waked you for that, Jimmy. But there’s some one in a cabin near mine sending out signals.”
“Are you certain?” Jim asked, incredulously.