"Turner?"

"Yes."

"You mean--with the captain?"

"With any one who happens to be near. He is dangerous. It is Vail
now. He thinks Mr. Vail is in love with his wife. The fact is that
Vail--well, never mind about that. The point is this: this
afternoon he had a dispute with Williams, and knocked him down. The
other women don't know it. Vail told me. We have given out that
Williams is seasick. It will be Vail next, and, if he puts a hand
on him, Vail will kill him; I know him."

"We could stop this drinking."

"And have him shoot up the ship! I have been thinking all evening,
and only one thing occurs to me. We are five women and two men,
and Vail refuses to be alarmed. I want you to sleep in the after
house. Isn't there a storeroom where you could put a cot?"

"Yes," I agreed, "and I'll do it, of course, if you are uneasy, but
I really think--"

"Never mind what you really think. I haven't slept for three nights,
and I'm showing it." She made a motion to rise, and I helped her up.
She was a tall woman, and before I knew it she had put both her hands
on my shoulders.