The cook took it from him, and holding it up, revealed the face of a tall, good-looking woman of some seven or eight and twenty.
What are you doin here? demanded the watchman, with official austerity.
Im waiting for a friend of mine, said the visitor, struggling with Joe. Make this man leave go of me, please.
Joe, said the watchman, with severity. Im ashamed of you. Who is your friend, miss?
His name is Robinson, said the lady. He came on here about an hour ago. Im waiting for him.
Theres nobody here, said the watchman, shaking his head.
Im not sure he didnt go on that little ship, said the lady; but if he has, I suppose I can wait here till he comes off. Im not doing any harm.
The shipll sail in about an hours time, miss, said Tim, regretfully, but there aint nobody o the name of Robinson aboard her. All the crews ere, and theres only the skipper and mate on her besides.
You cant deceive me, young man, so dont try it, said the lady, sharply. I followed him on here, and he hasnt gone off, because the gate has been locked since.
I cant think who the lady means, said Joe.
I aint seen nobody come aboard. If he did, hes down the cabin.
Well, Ill go down there, said the lady, promptly.
Well, miss, its nothing to do with us, said Joe, but its my opinion youll find the skipper and mate has turned in.
Well, Im going down, said the lady, gripping her parasol firmly by the middle; they cant eat me.
She walked towards the Foam, followed by the perplexed crew, and with the able assistance of five pairs of hands reached the deck. The companion was open, and at Joes whispered instructions she turned and descended the steps backwards.
It was at first quite dark in the cabin, but as the visitors eyes became accustomed to it, she could just discern the outlines of a small table, while a steady breathing assured her that somebody was sleeping close by. Feeling her way to the table she discovered, a locker, and, taking a seat, coughed gently. The breathing continuing quite undisturbed, she coughed again, twice.
The breathing stopped suddenly. Who the devils that coughing? asked a surprised voice.
I beg pardon, Im sure, said the visitor, but is there a Mr. Robinson down here?
The reply was so faint and smothered that she could not hear it. It was evident that the speaker, a modest man, was now speaking from beneath the bedclothes.
Is Mr. Robinson here? she repeated loudly.
Never heard of him, said the smothered voice.
Its my opinion, said the visitor, hotly, that youre trying to deceive me. Have you got a match?
The owner of the voice said that he had not, and with chilly propriety added that he wouldnt give it to her if he had. Whereupon the lady rose, and, fumbling on the little mantel-piece, found a box and struck one. There was a lamp nailed to the bulkhead over the mantel-piece, and calmly removing the chimney, she lit it.
A red, excited face, with the bedclothes fast about its neck, appeared in a small bunk and stared at her in speechless amaze. The visitor returned his gaze calmly, and then looked carefully round the cabin.
Where does that lead to? she asked, pointing to the door of the state-room.
The mate, remembering in time the mysterious behaviour of Flower, considered the situation. Thats the pantry, he said, untruthfully.
The visitor rose and tried the handle. The door was locked, and she looked doubtfully at the mate. I suppose thats a leg of mutton I can hear asleep in there, she said, with acerbity.
You can suppose what you like, said the mate, testily; why dont you go away? Im surprised at you.
Youll be more surprised before Ive done with you, said the lady, with emotion. My Freds in there, and you know it.
Your Fred! said Fraser, in great surprise.
Mr. Robinson, said the visitor, correcting herself.
I tell you theres nobody in there except the skipper, said the mate.
You said it was the pantry just now, exclaimed the other, sharply.
The skipper sleeps in the pantry sos he can keep his eye on the meat, explained Fraser.
The visitor looked at him angrily. What sort of a man is he? she enquired, suddenly.
Youll soon know if he comes out, said the mate. Hes the worst-tempered man afloat, I should think. If he comes out and finds you here, I dont know what hell do.
Im not afraid of him, said the other, with spirit. What do you call him? Skipper?
The mate nodded, and the visitor tapped loudly at the door. Skipper! she cried, Skipper!
No answer being vouchsafed, she repeated her cry in a voice louder than before.
Hes a heavy sleeper, said the perturbed Fraser; better go away, theres a good girl.
The lady, scornfully ignoring him, rapped on the door and again called upon its occupant. Then, despite her assurance, she sprang back with a scream as a reply burst through the door with the suddenness and fury of a thunder-clap.
Halloa! it said.
My goodness, said the visitor, aghast. What a voice! What a terrible voice!
She recovered herself and again approached the door.
Is there a gentleman named Robinson in there? she asked, timidly.
Gentleman named who? came the thunderclap again.
Robinson, said the lady, faintly.
No! No! said the thunder-clap. ThenGo away, it rumbled. Go away.
The reverberation of that mighty voice rolled and shook through the cabin. It even affected the mate, for the visitor, glancing towards him, saw that he had nervously concealed himself beneath the bedclothes, and was shaking with fright.
I daresay his bark is worse than his bite, said the visitor, trembling; anyway, Im going to stay here. I saw Mr. Robinson come here, and I believe hes got him in there. Killing him, perhaps. Oh! Oh!
To the mates consternation she began to laugh, and then changed to a piercing scream, and, unused to the sex as he was, he realised that this was the much-dreaded hysteria of which he had often heard, and he faced her with a face as pallid as her own.
Chuck some water over yourself, he said, hastily, nodding at a jug which stood on the table. I cant very well get up to do it myself.
The lady ignored this advice, and by dint of much strength of mind regained her self-control. She sat down on the locker again, and folding her arms showed clearly her intention to remain.
Half an hour passed; the visitor still sat grimly upright. Twice she sniffed slightly, and, with a delicate handkerchief, pushed up her veil and wiped away the faint beginnings of a tear.
I suppose you think Im acting strangely? she said, catching the mates eye after one of these episodes.
Oh, dont mind me, said the mate, with studied politeness; dont mind hurting my feelings or taking my character away.
Pooh! youre a man, said the visitor, scornfully; but character or no character, Im going to see into that room before I go away, if I sit here for three weeks.
Howre you going to manage about eating and drinking all that time? enquired Fraser.
How are you? said the visitor; you cant get up while Im here, you know.
Well, well see, said the mate, vaguely.
Im sure I dont want to annoy anybody, said the visitor, softly, but Ive had a lot of trouble, young man, and whats worse, Ive been made a fool of. This day three weeks ago I ought to have been married.
Im sure you ought, murmured the other.
The lady ignored the interruption.
Travelling under Government on secret service, he said he was, she continued; always away: here to-day, China to-morrow, and America the day after.
Flying? queried the interested mate.
I daresay, snapped the visitor; anything to tell me, I suppose. We were to be married by special license. Id even got my trousseau ready.
Got your what ready? enquired the mate, to whom the word was new, leaning out of his bunk.
Everything to wear, explained the visitor. All my relations bought new clothes, too; leastways, those that could afford it did. He even went and helped me choose the cake.
Well, is that wrong? asked the puzzled mate.
He didnt buy it, he only chose it, said the other, having recourse to her handkerchief again. He went outside the shop to see whether there was one he would like better, and when I came out he had disappeared.
He must have met with an accident, said the mate, politely.
I saw him to-night, said the lady, tersely.
Once or twice he had mentioned Wapping in conversation, and then seemed to check himself. That was my clue. Ive been round this dismal heathenish place for a fortnight. To-night I saw him; he came on this wharf, and he has not gone off.... Its my belief hes in that room.
Before the mate could reply the hoarse voice of the watchman came down the company-way. Ha past eleven, sir; tides just on the turn.
Aye, aye, said the mate. He turned imploringly to the visitor.
Would you do me the favour just to step on deck a minute?
What for? enquired the visitor, shortly.
Because I want to get up, said the mate.
I shant move, said the lady.
But Ive got to get up, I tell you, said the mate; were getting under way in ten minutes.
And what might that be? asked the lady.
Why, we make a start. Youd better go ashore unless you want to be carried off.
I shant move, repeated the visitor.
Well, Im sorry to be rude, said the mate. George.
Sir, said the watchman from above.
Bring down a couple o men and take this lady ashore, said the mate sternly.
Ill send a couple down, sir, said the watchman, and moved off to make a selection.
I shall scream murder and thieves, said the lady, her eyes gleaming. Ill bring the police up and cause a scandal. Then perhaps I shall see into that room.
In the face of determination like this the mates courage gave way, and in a voice of much anxiety he called upon his captain for instruction.
Cast off, bellowed the mighty voice. If your sweetheart wont go ashore she must come, too. You must pay her passage.
Well, of all the damned impudence, muttered the incensed mate. Well, if youre bent on coming, he said, hotly, to the visitor, just go on deck while I dress.
The lady hesitated a moment and then withdrew. On deck the men eyed her curiously, but made no attempt to interfere with her, and in a couple of minutes the mate came running up to take charge.
Where are we going? enquired the lady with a trace of anxiety in her voice.
France, said Fraser, turning away.
The visitor looked nervously round. At the adjoining wharf a sailing barge was also getting under way, and a large steamer was slowly turning in the middle of the river. She took a pace or two towards the side.
Cast off, said Fraser, impatiently, to the watchman.
Wait a minute, said the visitor, hastily, I want to think.
Cast off, repeated the mate.
The watchman obeyed, and the schooners side moved slowly from the wharf. At the sight the visitors nerve forsook her, and with a frantic cry she ran to the side and, catching the watchmans outstretched hand, sprang ashore.
Good-bye, sang out the mate; sorry you wouldnt come to France with us. The lady was afraid of the foreigners, George. If it had been England she wouldnt have minded.
Aye, aye, said the watchman, significantly, and, as the schooner showed her stern, turned to answer, with such lies as he thought the occasion demanded, the eager questions of his fair companion.
CHAPTER III
Captain Flower, learning through the medium of Tim that the coast was clear, came on deck at Limehouse, and took charge of his ship with a stateliness significant of an uneasy conscience. He noticed with growing indignation that the mates attitude was rather that of an accomplice than a subordinate, and that the crew looked his way far oftener than was necessary or desirable.
I told her we were going to France, said the mate, in an impressive whisper.
Her? said Flower, curtly. Who?
The lady you didnt want to see, said Fraser, restlessly.
You let your ideas run away with you, Jack, said Flower, yawning. It wasnt likely I was going to turn out and dress to see any girl you liked to invite aboard.
Or even to bawl at them through the speaking-trumpet, said Fraser, looking at him steadily.
What sort olooking girl was she? enquired Flower, craning his neck to see what was in front of him.
Looked like a girl who meant to find the man she wanted, if she spent ten years over it, said the mate grimly. Ill bet you an even five shillings, capn, that she finds this Mr. Robinson before six weeks are outwhatever his other name is.
Maybe, said Flower, carelessly.
Its her first visit to the Foam, but not the last, you mark my words, said Fraser, solemnly. If she wants this rascal Robinson
What? interrupted Flower, sharply.
I say if she wants this rascal Robinson, repeated the mate, with relish, shell naturally come where she saw the last trace of him.
Captain Flower grunted.
Women never think, continued Fraser, judicially, or else shed be glad to get rid of such a confounded scoundrel.
What do you know about him? demanded Flower.
I know what she told me, said Fraser; the idea of a man leaving a poor girl in a cake-shop and doing a bolt. Hell be punished for it, I know. Hes a thoughtless, inconsiderate fellow, but one of the best-hearted chaps in the world, and I guess Ill do the best I can for him.
Flower grinned safely in the darkness. And any little help I can give you, Jack, Ill give freely, he said, softly. Well talk it over at breakfast.
The mate took the hint, and, moving off, folded his arms on the taffrail, and, looking idly astern, fell into a reverie. Like the Pharisee, he felt thankful that he was not as other men, and dimly pitied the skipper and his prosaic entanglements, as he thought of Poppy. He looked behind at the dark and silent city, and felt a new affection for it, as he reflected that she was sleeping there.
The two men commenced their breakfast in silence, the skipper eating with a zest which caused the mate to allude impatiently to the last breakfasts of condemned men.
Shut the skylight, Jack, said the skipper, at length, as he poured out his third cup of coffee.
Fraser complied, and resuming his seat gazed at him with almost indecent expectancy. The skipper dropped some sugar into his coffee, and stirring it in a meditative fashion, sighed gently.
Ive been making a fool of myself, Jack, he said, at length. I was always one to be fond of a little bit of adventure, but this goes a little too far, even for me.