Snell was motionless.
The boat was about in midstream.
Patsy’s muscles quivered as the stranger glided swiftly up and placed his hand on Snell’s shoulder.
Snell whirled around, with a gasp of surprise and alarm.
He put up his hands to push the man away, and tried to back from the rail.
The stranger kept his hand firmly on Snell’s shoulder.
For a second or two the men jostled each other, but it could not be said that they were struggling.
The stranger seemed merely trying to hold Snell still.
Patsy heard him say: