A sharp rattle of chain that had rung across the water suddenly stopped
and Dick saw one of the steamer's colored side-lights slowly move. It was
plain that she was going to sea.
"Since we had been passed by the doctor, there was nothing to prevent the
shore boats coming alongside, and I believe one or two did so before we
quite stopped," Jake resumed. "They were, no doubt, looking for a job,
and the ladder was already lowered."
"Then you knew Kenwardine meant to steal away?"
"I didn't know, but thought it likely," Jake replied with some dryness.
"On the whole, it was perhaps the best thing he could do. What's your
opinion, Don Sebastian?"
The Spaniard smiled. "I think the President will be satisfied that it was
the simplest way out of the difficulty."
"Well," said Jake, "here are your letters, Dick. Perhaps we had better
see about getting ashore."
They moved towards the gangway, past the hatch where some heavy cases
were being hoisted up, and Dick carefully put the letters in his pocket.
This distracted his attention from what was going on, and when he heard a
warning shout he stepped back a moment too late. A big case swung forward
beneath a derrick-boom and struck his shoulder. Staggering with the blow,
he lost his balance and plunged down the hatch. He was conscious of a
heavy shock, a sudden, stinging pain, and then remembered nothing more.