“It was all my fault,” Enid grieved. “Of course, I had to stumble over that old rope!”
“It wasn’t your fault, honey,” Madge comforted. “It was just a bad break of luck.”
Enid was silent as they slowly steered back toward The Flora. Madge too, was occupied with her own thoughts. She wondered what could be the meaning of the midnight visit. Had the prowler come for the purpose of ransacking the cabin or was it possible that he had brought some message?
The girls were thoroughly chilled by the night air before they reached the yacht. Yet, the adventure had made them far too nervous to even consider going back to bed. After lighting nearly all of the lamps, they screwed up their courage and entered Mr. Burnett’s cabin. A hasty glance about assured them that nothing had been touched.
“I guess he didn’t have time to do any damage,” Enid declared. “What do you suppose brought him here tonight?”
“I wish I knew.”
“Well, I think Rex was right about staying here alone. It was a terribly foolish thing to do. I’ll not spend another night here without a guard.”
After a time they settled themselves in deck chairs, and there, snuggled down under steamer rugs, they spent the remainder of the night. For some reason they felt safer out in the open where they could see any boat that might approach. Occasionally, they dozed off, but for the most part they maintained a vigilant watch.
At dawn they stretched their cramped limbs and went to Enid’s cabin to freshen up. Hot coffee revived their spirits and strengthened their morale. As the sun beat down upon the deck it was difficult for them to believe that they had spent such a harrowing night.
“We must report to the police immediately,” Madge advised. “They may attach special significance to what happened during the night.”