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Foul Play, a novel by Charles Reade |
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Chapter 45 |
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_ CHAPTER XLV BOTH were greatly moved; and after one swift glance Helen stole at him, neither looked at the other. They spoke in flurried whispers. "Can they see the island?" "I don't know; it depends on how far the boat is to windward of her smoke." "How shall we know?" "If she sees the island she will make for it that moment." "Why? do ships never pass an unknown island?" "Yes. But that steamer will not pass us." "But why?" At this question Hazel hung his head, and his lip quivered. He answered her at last. "Because she is looking for you." Helen was struck dumb at this. He gave his reasons. "Steamers never visit these waters. Love has brought that steamer out; love that will not go unrewarded. Arthur Wardlaw is on board that ship." "Have they seen us yet?" Hazel forced on a kind of dogged fortitude. He said, "When the smoke ceases to elongate, you will know they have changed their course, and they will change their course the moment the man at the mast-head sees us." "Oh! But how do you know they have a man at the mast-head?" "I know by myself. I should have a man at the mast-head night and day." And now the situation was beyond words. They both watched, and watched, to see the line of smoke cease. It continued to increase, and spread eastward; and that proved the steamer was continuing her course. The sun drew close to the horizon. "They don't see us," said Helen, faintly. "No," said Hazel; "not yet." "And the sun is just setting. It is all over." She put her handkerchief to her eyes a moment, and then, after a sob or two, she said almost cheerfully, "Well, dear friend, we were happy till that smoke came to disturb us. Let us try and be as happy now it is gone. Don't smile like that, it makes me shudder." "Did I smile? It must have been at your simplicity in thinking we have seen the last of that steamer." "And so we have." "Not so. In three hours she will be at anchor in that bay." "Why, what will bring her?" "I shall bring her." "You? How?" "By lighting my bonfire." _ |
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