"Yes, when I go on expeditions of this sort."
"Good! Keep under the bank as much as possible, and don't stick on the mud."
I did little more than keep the boat straight, was careful not to make any noise, and in the shadow of the bank we were not very likely to be seen. A heavy, leaden sky made the night dark, and there was a sullen rush in the water.
"Steady!" whispered Quarles.
We were abreast of the first of the piles which I had noticed in the morning. Now it was standing out of water instead of mud.
"She shows no light," said Quarles. "We'll get alongside."
With the incoming tide the yacht had swung around, and was straining at the hawser which held her, the water slapping at her bows with fretful insistency. Quarles held on to her, bringing us with a slight bump against her side. Keen ears would have heard the contact, but no voice challenged.
We had come up on the side of the yacht which was nearest the golf course.
"There's no boat fastened to her, Wigan," said Quarles. "Probably there is no one on board. Let's go round to the other side."