Page:Pleased to Meet You (1927).pdf/164

 house ought to be haunted by Dukes with bullet holes in them. Or maybe the ghost of the florin."

He pushed the boat off from under the wall into midstream, where they had a wider view.

"Jove, there is something there."

Far along the terrace hovered a glint of white, apparently suspended above the ground. It was small enough truly to be the wraith of the florin. Then it disappeared. There was a splash and a faint choked cry.

"Gene, it's the little girl! Hurry, hurry."

The old punt was unwieldy in the dark. The rowlocks were missing, and though each seized an oar their desperate paddling only succeeded in twirling the craft in a wild swing which brought them bumping back against the wall. The Colonel hastily scrambled up the rough stonework. He would have fallen but Nyla boosted him fiercely from behind. He vaulted the balustrade and ran along the terrace. Now he could see a small white commotion in the water. With a leap he cleared the parapet and dived in.