She leaned out over the rail, half concealing me from view.
"Oh, that must have been fifteen minutes ago," and she laughed. "It is never safe to leave me as long as that. You know that, papa, and now I warn Captain Le Gaire."
The older man echoed her laugh, striking his companion lightly on the shoulder.
"I fear the little witch is right, Gerald," he said pleasantly. "Come, we'll go in, and uncover the whole conspiracy."
Their backs were toward us, and she straightened up, grasping me by the hand. She was shaking from head to foot, even her voice trembled.
"You must not be found here, and we have but a moment. Drop to the ground as soon as they turn the corner. Don't hesitate; don't compromise me."
"But what will you tell them?"
"Oh, I do not know--anything that comes into my head. Don't mind me, I'll take care of myself."
"But you will not; that is the whole trouble--if I go now I lose you forever. Billie, let me stay!"
She broke from me, stepping back into the room, yet there was a look in her eyes which made me desperate. She did not love Le Gaire, she despised him. I was certain of that, and more than half convinced her heart was already mine. Should I run from the fight like a coward, sneak away in the night, leaving her to be sacrificed? The very thought sickened me. Better to meet the issue squarely--and I believed I knew how it could be done. I grasped the curtain, drew it down twice in signal, and stepped into the room.