Part 50 (2/2)
He flashed a glance in the direction of the divan under the awning where the Basha slept There all was still Besides, the question had been asked in English He rose and held out a hand to help her to her feet
Then he signed to her to reenter the poop-house, and followed her within
”Anxiety keeps you wakeful?” he said, half-question, half-assertion
”Indeed,” she replied
”There is scarce the need,” he assured her ”Sir John will not be like to stir until dead of night, that heus unawares I have little doubt that Lionel would reach hi a swim Indeed, once outside the cove he could take to the land until he was abreast of the shi+p Never doubt he will have done his errand”
She sat down, her glance avoiding his; but the light falling on her face showed hihting when Sir John arrives?” she asked hih But what can it avail? We shall be caught--as was said to-day--in just such a trap as that in which Andrea Doria caught Dragut at Jerba, saving that whilst the wily Dragut found a way out for his galleys, here none is possible Courage, then, for the hour of your deliverance is surely at hand”
He paused, and then in a softer voice, humbly almost, ”It is my prayer,”
he added, ”that hereafter in a happy future these last feeeks shall come to seem no more than an evil dream to you”
To that prayer she offered no response She sat beht be done without fighting,” she said presently, and sighed wearily
”You need have no fear,” he assured her ”I shall take all precautions for you You shall reuarded by a fehom I can trust”
”You mistake me,” she replied, and looked up at him suddenly ”Do you suppose ain, and then abruptly asked hiht,” he replied gravely ”No doubt I shall meet with my deserts Let it but come swiftly when it comes”
”Ah, no, no!” she cried ”Not that!” And rose in her sudden agitation
”What else remains?” he asked, and smiled ”What better fate could anyone desire land,” she surprised hi
”The truth must prevail, and justice be done you”
He looked at her with so fierce and searching a gaze that she averted her eyes Then he laughed shortly
”There's but one forland,” said he
”It is a justice adrown too notorious for ht Besides,” he added, and his loomy, ”bethink you of my present act of treachery to these men of mine, hatever they may be, have followed me into a score of perils and but to-day have shown their love and loyalty to reater than their devotion to the Basha himself I shall have delivered them to the sword Could I survive with honour? They may be but poor heathens to you and yours, but to allant followers, and I were a dog indeed did I survive the death to which I have dooathered fro that had hitherto escaped her, her eyes greide in sudden horror
”Is that to be the cost of my deliverance?” she asked him fearfully
”I trust not,” he replied ”I have so in mind that will perhaps avoid it”