Yet there was a chance that what had occurred in this cabin could be kept
concealed for a few hours, until darkness gave us better opportunity for
successful action. The memory of what Henley had said to me the evening
before--that he was only technically in command; that for days at a time
he never appeared on deck in person, gave me the clew. If he could be
kept absolutely secure in his cabin, unable to create any alarm, we would
be free to plan our escape. There were but two points of danger to be
guarded against--Herman and the steward. The former, when he returned
from shore, might seek him for final orders, and the latter, if he failed
to appear in the cabin for the regular meal, would endeavor to learn his
desires. I would have to guard against these contingencies, and, with
the first in mind, I stepped across to the bathroom, and was gratified to
learn that the door leading into the mate's stateroom could be locked on
the inside. With this private approach barred I felt confident of being
able to guard the single entrance remaining. I met her waiting for me as
I stepped out from behind the curtain.
"Well, what can we do?"
"Keep the fellow tied, and wait for night," I answered soberly. "That is
our only chance. The mate is ashore--we are lying in the cove of a small
island off the Florida coast, waiting for darkness, and a chance to slip
through into southern waters.
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