We've as good a right to be
here as yourself, and maybe more right," returned the stranger.
"That depends, sir. I wish you wouldn't speak so loudly, either. You
will awaken my companions. I would just as soon they did not see you,
for I don't like the looks of you in the dark."
"Companions!" exploded one of the men under his breath. "Whew! Where
are they?"
"In the cabin. We are occupying it now. Where were you going with that
box? You know there is nothing but the sea beyond here. This is a bar.
The mainland is the other way. Perhaps you thought you were headed up
the beach?"
"Sure we did, Miss. Thank you. We'll be going. Sorry to have disturbed
you. Got some provisions for a friend of ours who is down this part of
the coast on a fishing trip. Thank you."
They gathered up their burden and started back toward the beach as
fast as they could stagger, Harriet in the meantime standing where
they had left her, gazing after them with forehead wrinkled into
ridges of perplexity. Harriet watched the men all the way back to the
beach. She saw them put down the box they had been carrying and stand
looking back at her. Harriet quickly retraced her steps to the cabin,
in the shadow of which she halted and continued her watching.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131