I wanted to
be alone, where I could think out some feasible scheme of escape.
"I have had enough for tonight," I said finally, "and am going to turn
in."
"Best thing you can do," he coincided, but without looking toward me.
"Will follow suit as soon as I smoke a cigarette. See you tomorrow."
I went down the companion stairs directly to my stateroom, not even
glancing aside, feeling confident that he would be watching me from
above. I had every reason to believe I had won his confidence, that he
counted me as already among those he controlled and commanded, yet he
was not a man who would ever rise above suspicion, and his trust would
always be limited. Without lighting a lamp I lay down, still partially
dressed, on my bunk, my mind busily occupied with desperate plans, none
of them satisfactory. We would not be far from land, according to his
statement, until late the following night. The small boat hanging
astern was fully capable of transporting the two of us safely, and I
was sufficiently acquainted with such a craft to feel no doubt of my
ability to navigate it if once afloat. But unless Mrs. Henley was also
given her freedom on board, I could perceive no means of reaching her.
With her stateroom key hidden in the Captain's pocket, any plan I might
formulate was useless.
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