The detective seemed to be deeply engaged in reading a placard hung on the opposite wall.
The man softly opened the door and went out.
Patsy was on his feet instantly.
Looking through the glass, he saw the stranger slink into the darkness by the side wall of the boat, there being a space thus shut in between the cabin door and the open deck where Snell stood looking at the water.
“What a chance,” thought Patsy, “to sneak up and pitch his man overboard!”
The stranger stood motionless a moment.
Then he edged forward.
At that Patsy quietly opened the door and stepped out.
The man did not hear him.
His attention was too much taken with what he was going to do.