shadow of the chart-house. Hardly was he there when the men came
out of the cabin to the deck beneath the bridge, then with a brief
exchange of "Good-nights," Coburn and the lorry driver passed down
the ladder, crossed the gangway and disappeared behind a stack of
pit-props on the wharf. Bulla with a grunted "'Night" descended
the port steps and Hilliard heard the door leading below open and
shut; the starboard deck lamp snapped off, and finally the captain's
door shut and a key turned in the lock. Some fifteen minutes later
the faint light from the porthole vanished and all was dark and
silent.

But for more than an hour Hilliard remained crouching motionless
on the bridge, fearing lest some sound that he might make in his
descent should betray him if the captain should still be awake.
Then, a faint light from the rising moon appearing towards the
east, he crept from his perch, and crossing the gangway, reached
the wharf and presently his boat.

Ten minutes later he was on board the launch.



CHAPTER 6

A CHANGE OF VENUE


Still making as little noise as possible, Hilliard descended to the
cabin and turned in. Merriman was asleep, and the quiet movement
of the other did not awaken him.