Page:The Great Secret.djvu/75

Rh enemy left on board. Let us return and finish our examination above."

Had they eyes in their heads, Philip thought, as he peered from his shelter. There, in the shadow of some bales, he saw the captain and his two mates, George Cox and Digby Butcher, both glaring with white and revengeful looks on these searchers as they retreated before them.

Other faces and forms were there, all seeking the shadows, yet whom Philip, from his elevated position, saw plainly enough, feeling pleased to think they were not quite alone, yet dreading that they might be discovered.

But no, the men looked round them seemingly keenly enough without seeing anything, and then they drew themselves through the hole, and slowly disappeared down the gangway, leaving the company once more in the hold.

"More have escaped beside ourselves, Adela. Let us join them and consult as to what is to be done."

"I am frightened of them, Philip," whispered Adela, with a strong shudder and a convulsive clutch at his arm.

"Why? They are like ourselves, and friends," said Philip, astonished.

"I don't know; but I saw faces down there when the lantern shone, which I saw lying dead upstairs."

"Nonsense! You only fancied so. They are all our friends, and will help us—come!"

She made no more objections, but permitted him to lift her down to the boxes after he had reached them himself. He had forgotten little Doctor Chiver, but that gentleman scrambled down after them, and stood beside them, grumbling to himself that he would certainly have rheumatics with all this wet upon him.