Suddenly she fell back, shocked beyond measure. From the direction of the
salon--a pistol shot! This was followed by the tramp of hurrying feet.
Voices, now sharp, now rumbling--this grew nearer. A struggle of some
dimensions was going on in the passage. The racket reached her door, but
did not pause there. She sank into the chair, a-tremble.
Dennison struggled to a sitting posture.
"Jane?"
"Yes!"
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, what has happened?"
"A bit of mutiny, I take it; but it seems to be over."
"But the shot!"
"I heard no cry of pain, only a lot of scuffling and some high words.
Don't worry."
"I won't. Can't you break a piece of glass and saw your way out?"
"Lord love you, that's movie stuff! If I had a razor, I couldn't manage it
without hacking off my hands. You are worried!"
"I'm a woman, Denny. I'm not afraid of your father; but if there is
mutiny, with all these treasures on board--and over here----"
"All right. I'll make a real effort."
She could hear him stumbling about. She heard the crash of the water
carafe on the floor. Several minutes dragged by.
"Can't be done!" said Dennison. "Can't make the broken glass stay put.
Can't reach my ankles, either, or I could get my feet free. There's a
double latch on your door. See to it! Lord!"
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Just hunting round for some cuss words. Put the chair up against
the door knob and sit tight for a while."
The hours dragged by in stifling silence.
Meanwhile, Cleigh, having attended to errands, lunched, had gone to the
American consulate and presented the order. His name and reputation
cleared away the official red tape. He explained that all the fuss of the
night before had been without cause. Miss Norman had come aboard the
yacht, and now decided to go to Hong-Kong with the family. This suggested
the presence of other women on board. In the end, Jane's worldly goods
were consigned to Cleigh, who signed the receipt and made off for the
launch.
It was growing dark. On the way down the river Cleigh made no attempt to
search for the beads.
The salon lights snapped up as the launch drew alongside. Once below,
Cleigh dumped Jane's possessions into the nearest chair and turned to
give Dodge an order--only to find the accustomed corner vacant!
"Dodge!" he shouted. He ran to the passage. "Dodge, where the devil are
you?"