Page:Vance--The trey o hearts.djvu/78

56 And of a sudden, with a little low cry, the girl came into his arms and clung passionately to him.

"But you?" she murmured. "You need rest as much as I!"

"Oh, no, I don't," he continued. "Barcus and I stand watch and watch, of course. There's nothing for you to do but be completely at your ease. Good- night."

Eyes half-closed, she seemed to suffer his kiss rather than to respond, then turned hastily to her stateroom, leaving him staring in wonder at her strangeness. But he had no time for speculation. A surge of triumph in his heart, he ran up the companion-way and rejoined Barcus.

"Well?" Barcus asked amiably. "Find everything to your satisfaction?"

"I think so—quite. What can I do?"

"Stand by until we round the breakwater. Then take the wheel while I make sail. We'll catch a capful of wind as soon as we get out, and then this old hooker is due to set a pace you'll find surprising."

It was well on toward midnight before he finally relieved Alan and told him to turn in. By that time the Seaventure was spinning south-southeast, close reefed to a sou'west wind, the fixed white eye of Portland Headlight fast falling astern to starboard.