They crossed the yard to the baronet's cabin and knocked on the door. Maggie Stone admitted them to the outer room, where Sir Ralph and Mistress Beatrix were seated, the girl reading aloud to her father by the light of one poor candle. But the great fire on the hearth had the place fairly illuminated.
William Trigget, undismayed by fog and bad weather, cool in any risk of land or sea, was too abashed at the presence of the lady to tell his story. So Master Kingswell told it for him.
"The guards must be doubled," said Sir Ralph.
"They be that already, sir," replied Trigget, breaking the spell of the bright eyes that surveyed him.
"That is well," answered the baronet. "There is nothing else to be done, at least until morning, but sleep light and keep your muskets handy."
Kingswell and the master mariner returned to the darkness without.
"I will stake my word," said Kingswell, "that the place is surrounded by the devils even now, and that they will try again to get a man over the wall to unbar the gates."