She stood there looking straight at him, seemingly unable even yet to wholly realize the marvellous truth of his presence.  The light from the swinging lamp in the big cabin beyond, streamed in through the shattered doorway, and revealed her face, pale, but unafraid, the eyes wide-open, the lips parted.  An instant both paused, and then she cried out in sudden relief.

“Oh, it is really you, Captain West.  I know now.  What has happened?  How did you come to be here?”

“Not now,” he insisted.  “Don’t ask me now.  Just come as quick as you can.  Do you not realize the boat is sinking, going down under our very feet?  For all I know it may take the plunge before we can reach the deck.  There is no time for anything but action.  Quick; let me take your hand.”

She obeyed without a word, and he pressed her before him out through the door into the more brightly lighted cabin.  Her eyes opened in horror at the sight of Masters, and she drew back trembling against West’s arm.

“Who—­who is that?  A dead man?”

“I fear so; wait just a second until I learn; if he still lives we cannot leave him here.”

West bent over the motionless figure; the flesh was no longer warm; and he could detect no breath.  Satisfied, he regained his feet.

“It is all over with,” he said gravely.  “He is beyond human aid.”

“But—­but, please, who is he?” she insisted, clinging to his arm.  “Surely I have seen the man before; what has happened?”

“He was the watchman on the yacht—­Masters he said his name was,” West explained impatiently.  “He was still alive when I first came, and told me where you were confined.  He tried to serve you when the others left, and was struck down by Hogan.”

“The others left!  Is the boat deserted?  Are we here all alone?”

“Yes; the villains left us both locked into state-rooms to die.  They deserted the yacht, expecting it to sink, and take us both down with it.  The craft is near foundering now, and our only hope is to obtain the open deck at once.  Do not question any more, but do just as I say.  You trust me, do you not?”

“Trust you! of course I do.”

“Then let’s talk afterwards.  All I can think about now is how best to save your life.”

She permitted him to draw her through the door on to the black, deserted deck.  For the first moment, as they hesitated there, little could be perceived other than vague shadows.  The sky was overcast, but the wind light, yet with sufficient swell to the water to cause the yacht to wallow uncomfortably.  West, bracing himself to the sudden plunging, managed to reach the rail.  He drew back, sick at heart at the sight of the waves lapping the side almost on a level with the sloping deck on which he stood.  The sight brought home to him as never before the drear deadly peril in which they were.  It was already a matter of minutes; any second indeed that labouring hulk might take the fatal plunge.  The knowledge brought back all his soldier instincts of command, his rough insistence.  He would find some means of rescue; he must!  He was back instantly, grasping her arm.