He had to pass the cabins set apart for the two girls. The ports were
lighted, and through one window he could see some one peering out at
him. Owing to the thickness of the glass and its blurred condition, he
could not tell whether the occupant was Elsie or Isobel, or Isobel's
maid, but, whoever it was, a hand seemed to signal to him to open the
door.
He unfastened the bolts, and held a half door slightly ajar. Joey,
ever eager to be out of the pelting storm, hopped inside, and Courtenay
heard Elsie exclaim: "Good gracious, Joey! Where is your life-belt?"
"Do you want anything?" asked Courtenay, through the chink.
Elsie smiled at him. She was wrapped in a heavy ulster, and had a Tam
o' Shanter tied firmly on her head by a stout veil.
"Mr. Malcolm thought we had better bring life-belts from our cabins. I
came for mine, and I looked out and saw you. I wanted to ask you what
had become of Dr. Christobal. I hope you don't mind?"
"Not in the least. I am just going to him. Would you care to come?"
"Oh, I shall be most pleased."
"He is attending the injured men, you know. And there are--others
there, who are beyond his help."
"Perhaps I may be of some assistance."
"Come, then. When I open the door, step out quickly and hold tight to
that rail. And don't move until I tell you."
His manner was curt enough to please the superioress of a nunnery.
Elsie was awed instantly by the glimpse she obtained of the flying scud
within the narrow area of the saloon lights, but she obeyed directions,
and presently found herself clinging desperately to the brass hand-rail
which ran, breast high, along the outer wall of her cabin. She saw
Courtenay kneel to fasten a bolt, and she wondered how a man encumbered
with heavy boots could be so active. Then she felt an arm grip her
tightly round the waist, and she heard a voice, which sounded as if it
had traveled down a long corridor, shouting in her ear: "Lean well back and trust to me. Let go!"
She had no idea that wind could blow like that, especially when the
ship was going in the same direction. It shrieked and whistled and
tore at the canvas side-awnings with a vehemence that threatened to rip
them from their stays. Courtenay held her glued to his left side, and
there was something reassuring in his vice-like grasp. She had a dim
notion that he need not squeeze her quite so earnestly, until she
passed a gangway which led to the port side, between the deck cabins
and the music-room. Then she changed her opinion; were it not for the
strong arm which held her she would have been blown into the sea.