“Is that you, Inez?” she called.
There was no reply. Concerned as to what struggle of conscience might not be going on in the mind of the girl, Roddy threw his arm across the edge of the wharf and drew his shoulders clear of the water. In the shadow Inez was still kneeling, her face was still close to his.
“Answer her!” commanded Roddy. “I’m all right.” He laughed softly, mockingly. He raised his head nearer. “‘On such a night,’” he whispered, “‘Leander swam the Hellespont.’ Why? Because he loved her!”
With an exclamation, partly of exasperation, partly of relief at finding the man did not consider himself in danger, Inez rose to her feet and stepped into the moonlight.
“Yes, I am here,” she called. “I am with Pedro.”
At the same moment the black cloud swept across the moon, and, with the stealth and silence of a water rat, Roddy slipped from the wharf and struck out toward the open harbor.
At the gate the two policemen raised their lanterns and swung them in the face of Señora Rojas.
Vega turned upon them fiercely.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Do you wish to know who I am? Well, I am Colonel Vega. Report that to your chief. Go!”
With a gesture he waved the men to one side, and, saluting sulkily, they moved away.