★ XVI ★
The search of the four ships was completed about midnight, and Bonniger grimly conceded defeat. That he was not satisfied became clear when he left six deputies behind him to coöperate with Bickel’s men in watching the decks until morning. The rest of the party started for the skiffs.
Kettering, as usual, was at hand to put in his oar. “There’s always some darn fool who raises an alarm,” he said. “That guy was seeing things at night!”
Bonniger disregarded his chatter.
So Janet had been saved. But for how long? Neill couldn’t afford to relax at all. He suddenly realized that he was pretty nearly dead beat. A long-continued strain tires a man more than any amount of physical exertion.
There was a moment when he and Kettering stood together on the platform at the foot of the
