Part 8 (1/2)
Tiptoeing down the room without the least sound, she climbed upon her berth, which was made up for the night. By propping herself upright on her knees she could just see through a small, circular window. This window was directly opposite the opening made by propping up the canvas.
Florence had placed herself between Marian and the candle. No light fell upon Marian to betray her presence. When one is in a dark room at night, he may peer into the moonlit outer world without being seen. Marian had poised there motionless for a full moment when, without altering her position other than turning her head, she whispered:
”Lucile, bring me that bottle of gas.”
Understanding at once what bottle was meant, Lucile tiptoed down the length of the room, managed to open the laboratory door without noise, then put her hand to the shelf where the ”Quick Action Gas” was kept.
With this in her hand she returned to Marian. She whispered as she pa.s.sed it up to her:
”Be careful not to drop it in here. It would drive us all out and we're hardly dressed for that.”
Shrugging her shoulders beneath her dressing gown, Marian placed the bottle on the blankets, then reached for the catch which kept the window closed. This window was seldom opened and she was not sure but that the unused hinges would give out a rusty squeak. In this case her purpose would be thwarted. She could but try.
Catching her breath, she turned the handle, then gave a slight pull. To her immense relief, there came no sound as the window swung inward.
Seizing the bottle, she brought her hand even with her head, then sat poised there quite motionless as if impersonating the statue of a hand-grenade thrower.
Then, suddenly, her whole body became tense. The hand holding the bottle flew back. It shot forward.
CHAPTER VII THE MYSTERY DEEPENS
When they saw Marian's hand go back for the throw, the two other girls, their fear overcome by curiosity, sprang silently to a position beside their companion.
What they saw made them draw back in fright. Two rounds of a ladder extended above the outer rim of the boat. Above the last round appeared a face. This face, though almost completely hidden by a heavy m.u.f.fler, was undoubtedly that of a man.
Before they had time to move, however, they saw the bottle of liquid gas strike the top rail and burst. The liquid spattering over the man's face and clothing, brought forth a sharp exclamation. The next instant, seeming to struggle against an invisible foe, he made desperate attempts to dismount from his lofty position. In this he was partially successful.
He disappeared from sight. But the next moment there came the thud of a falling body. The ladder was still in position. The three girls held their breath.
”He fell,” said Lucile in a tremulous whisper.
”I only hope he--”
”No you don't!” Lucile interrupted. ”No one wishes a person seriously injured.” Lucile shuddered.
”Well, anyway he wasn't,” said Florence, ”for there he is. The gas is working splendidly.”
The man was dancing about below, swinging his arms and shouting madly.
”Like a drunken man,” whispered Marian, with a frightened laugh.
”He'll be over it in a minute,” said Lucile. ”Liquid's all over his clothes--keeps evaporating and getting into his lungs.”
True to Lucile's prophecy, the man, a few moments later, having calmed down, appeared to pause to consider. It was evident that he wavered between two opinions. Twice he started in the direction of the s.h.i.+p, each time sending cold chills creeping up Lucile's spine.
”We have no more gas,” she whispered.
”Make it sulphuric acid this time!” Marian whispered savagely.
”No! No! You couldn't!” Lucile shuddered.
Pausing each time, the man turned back. The second time he wheeled about and, racing madly down the beach, disappeared beyond a long line of pleasure boats.