"He's occupying three or four, those over there."
"Oh," gasped Simon, "it's horrible! And there's no other way out?"
"None."
"Still, we can't. . . ."
"The least sound would be Miss Bakefield's undoing," Antonio declared.
"But why?"
"I am sure of it. . . . All this is thought out. . . . That threat of death to her father; it's blackmail. Besides. . . ."
One of the women moved to a cabin door, listened and returned, sniggering:
"The chit's defending herself. The chief will have to employ strong measures. You're resolved to go through with it, are you?"
"Of course!" said the other, nodding in the direction of her hand. "Twenty quid extra for each of us: it's worth it! On the word of command, pop! And there you are!"