“We wor just abreast o’ it when ye bid me hold way. In course we must a heard the screech just then.”
“Hold way now! Pull back a length or two. Steady her. Keep opposite the tree!”
The boatman obeys; first pulling the back stroke, then staying his craft against the current.
Once more relapsing into silence, Ryecroft sends his gaze down stream, as though noting the distance to Llangorren Court, whose chimneys are visible in the moonlight now on. Then, as if satisfied with some mental observation, he directs the other to row off. But as the kiosk-like structure comes within sight, he orders another pause, while making a minute survey of the summer-house, and the stretch of water between. Part of this is the main channel of the river, the other portion being the narrow way behind the eyot; on approaching which the pavilion is again lost to view, hidden by a tope of tall trees. But once within the bye-way it can be again sighted; and when near the entrance to this the waterman gets the word to pull into it.
He is somewhat surprised at receiving this direction. It is the way to Llangorren Court, by the boat-stair, and he knows the people now living there are not friends of his fare—not even acquaintances, so far as he has heard. Surely the Captain is not going to call on Mr Lewin Murdock—in amicable intercourse?
So queries Jack Wingate, but only of himself, and without receiving answer. One way or other he will soon get it; and thus consoling himself, he rows on into the narrower channel.
Not much farther before getting convinced that the Captain has no intention of making a call at the Court, nor is the Mary to enter that little dock, where more than once she has lain moored beside the Gwendoline. When opposite the summer-house he is once more commanded to bring to, with the intimation added:
“I’m not going any farther, Jack.”
Jack ceases stroke, and again holds the skiff so as to hinder it from drifting.
Ryecroft sits with eyes turned towards the cliff, taking in its façade from base to summit, as though engaged in a geological study, or trigonometrical calculation.