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Updated: June 9, 2025
At intervals he turned a red-rimmed and reproachful eye on Miss Pilbeam. "You want a wash and some breakfast," she said, softly, "especially a wash. There's water and a towel, and while you're making yourself tidy I'll be getting breakfast." The skipper hobbled to the wash-stand, and, dipping his head in a basin of cool water, began to feel himself again.
I am afraid that in the heat of the moment I raised my voice." "It's a wonder you didn't raise the roof. Who was that with you?" "Miss Pilbeam, sir; Mrs. Vanderley's maid." "What was all the trouble about?" "I was breaking our engagement, sir." I couldn't help gaping. Somehow one didn't associate Voules with engagements.
"It's no good blaming him," said Miss Pilbeam, thinking deeply, with her chin on her finger. "The thing is, what is to be done? Once father gets his hand on you " She shuddered; so did the skipper. "I might get off with a fine; I didn't hurt him," he remarked. Miss Pilbeam shook her head. "They're very strict in Woodhatch," she said. "I was a fool to touch him at all," said the repentant skipper.
"Else I shouldn't have come into your yard," was the reply. "It's the first time we have ever put into Woodhatch, and I might have sailed away and never seen you. Where should we have been but for that fat policeman?" Miss Pilbeam as soon as she could get her breath said, "Ah, where indeed!" and for the first time in her life began to feel the need of a chaperon.
I've had enough chaff about it as it is." Miss Pilbeam stole to the door of the next room and peeped stealthily in. Not a sound came from the cupboard, and a horrible idea that the prisoner might have been suffocated set her trembling with apprehension. "H'sh!" she whispered. An eager but stifled "H'st!" came from the cup-board, and Miss Pilbeam, her fears allayed, stepped softly into the room.
I gave him the afternoon off. I had lunch George didn't show up and as I was going out I was waylaid by the girl Pilbeam. She had been crying. "I beg your pardon, sir, but did Mr. Voules ask you for the afternoon?" I didn't see what business if was of hers, but she seemed all worked up about it, so I told her. "Yes, I have given him the afternoon off." She broke down absolutely collapsed.
"One can't think of everything," said Miss Pilbeam, "but, of course, we ought to have thought of the mate getting uneasy when you didn't turn up last night, and going to the police-station with a description of you." The skipper started and smote the table with his fist. "Father's gone down to watch the ship now," said Miss Pilbeam.
The skipper favored him with a glance the dignity of which was somewhat impaired by his complexion, and in a slow and stately fashion ascended to the deck. Then he caught his breath sharply and paled beneath the coaldust as he saw Sergeant Pilbeam standing on the quay, opposite the ship.
A key turned in the lock, the door was flung open, and the skipper, dazed and blinking with the sudden light, stumbled into the room. "Father's gone," said Miss Pilbeam. The skipper made no answer. He was administering first aid to a right leg which had temporarily forgotten how to perform its duties, varied with slaps and pinches at a left which had gone to sleep.
She stood trying in vain to make up her mind. "Upstairs," she said. "Quick!" and, leading the way, entered her father's bedroom, and, after a moment's thought, opened the door of a cupboard in the corner. "Get in there," she whispered. "But " objected the astonished Bligh. The front door was heard to open. "Police!" said Miss Pilbeam, in a thrilling whisper.
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