He handed her a sou’wester which he carried.  He had secured another for himself.  The merriment died away from her face.  She remembered his errand.  Being an eminently sensible young woman she made no protest, even forcing herself to tie the strings beneath her chin.

When they reached the sands she caught sight of the pile of clothes and the broken woodwork, with the small heaps of valuables methodically arranged.  The harmless subterfuge did not deceive her.  She darted a quick look of gratitude at her companion.  How thoughtful he was!  After a fearful glance around she was reassured, though she wondered what had become of—­them.

“I see you have been busy,” she said, nodding towards the clothes and boots.

It was his turn to steal a look of sharp inquiry.  ’Twere an easier task to read the records of time in the solid rock than to glean knowledge from the girl’s face.

“Yes,” he replied simply.  “Lucky find, wasn’t it?”

“Most fortunate.  When they are quite dry I will replenish my wardrobe.  What is the first thing to be done?”

“Well, Miss Deane, I think our programme is, in the first place, to examine the articles thrown ashore and see if any of the cases contain food.  Secondly, we should haul high and dry everything that may be of use to us, lest the weather should break again and the next tide sweep away the spoil.  Thirdly, we should eat and rest, and finally, we must explore the island before the light fails.  I am convinced we are alone here.  It is a small place at the best, and if any Chinamen were ashore they would have put in an appearance long since.”

“Do you think, then, that we may remain here long?”

“It is impossible to form an opinion on that point.  Help may come in a day.  On the other hand——­”

“Yes?”

“It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to prepare for other contingencies.”

She stood still, and swept the horizon with comprehensive eyes.  The storm had vanished.  Masses of cloud were passing away to the west, leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky.  Already the sea was calming.  Huge breakers roared over the reef, but beyond it the waves were subsiding into a heavy unbroken swell.

The sailor watched her closely.  In the quaint oilskin hat and her tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty.  She reminded him of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom he once saw figuring as Grace Darling at a fashionable bazaar.

But Miss Iris’s thoughts were serious.

“Do you mean,” she said slowly, without moving her gaze from the distant meeting-place of sky and water, “that we may be imprisoned here for weeks, perhaps months?”

“If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps admit that we are very fortunate to be here at all.”

She whisked round upon him.  “Do not fence with my question, Mr. Jenks.  Answer me!”

He bowed.  There was a perceptible return of his stubborn cynicism when he spoke.