She shook her head. “I won’t hear of it. You’re not fit for any such thing. I insist on your having some sleep first. Perhaps you don’t realize it, but you’re still looking dreadfully white and shaky.”
Bill saw that there was nothing to do but comply with her orders, so he lay down again on the cot.
“That’s better,” she said. “Now I must go. I’ll be back later on and I hope you’ll be comfortable in the meantime.”
With that she went out and shut the door. Bill heard a click. She had turned the key in the lock! He started up at the sound, but dropped back, a faint smile on his lips. If she wanted to be sure that he kept to the hut—well, that was her business. He was, to all purposes, a prisoner anyway, lock or no lock. Unless he could get hold of a boat, there would be no leaving the island. Swimming was out of the question. One try at the currents surrounding this rocky shore was quite enough.
But who were this girl and the old man? She said she lived here—but that could mean anything. Had Charlie been able to get back to the house? The youngster evidently hated the spooky place. Would he stay there, now that he was alone? With these thoughts buzzing through his tired brain, Bill fell into sleep.
He awoke to find the girl at his side, bearing a tray filled with food. What hour it was he could not tell, and at the moment he did not inquire. His main obsessions now were a racking thirst and an ardent hunger for food. He’d had nothing to eat since early morning, and the chops, fried potatoes and tea, with brown bread and honey, tasted delicious. While he did justice to the fare, the girl sat on a packing case in the doorway, chatting inconsequentially.
When the last morsel of his meal had disappeared, Bill thanked her again. Then he rose to his feet, determined to bring matters to a head.
“I hope it won’t put you to any inconvenience,” he said quietly, “but I will take it as a favor if you’ll help me get back to the mainland now. Please don’t think I haven’t appreciated your hospitality. You have been more than kind to me. But you understand it is vitally important for me to get back.”
“Ah—your walking tour is so important as all that?” She cast an amused glance up at him.
“Certainly.” Bill met her look firmly. “If you will be good enough to give orders for the boat—”