Whether she understood
or not I won't be sure, but I fancy she did from the way her lashes
drooped.
"Oh, my eyes!" bellowed Scarlet Sam; "keep her to it, quartermaster,
an' take a turn at the mizzen-shrouds!"
When I again glanced at our pursuer I saw that he was gaining. Yes,
there could be no mistake; slowly but surely, try as I would, the
distance between us lessened and lessened, until he was so near that
I could discern the very parting of his back hair. So, perforce,
bowing to the inevitable, I ceased my exertions, contenting myself
with a long, easy stroke. Thus by the time he was alongside I had
in some measure recovered my breath.
"Miss - Eliz - beth," he panted, very hot of face and moist of brow,
"must beg - the - favour - of few words with you."
"With pleasure, Mr. Selwyn," answered Lisbeth, radiant with smiles;
"as many as you wish." Forthwith Mr. Selwyn panted out his
indictment against the desperadoes of the Black Death, while the
Imp glanced apprehensively from him to Lisbeth and stole his hand
furtively into mine.
"I should not have troubled you with this, Miss Elizabeth," Selwyn
ended, "but that I would not have you think me neglectful of an
appointment, especially with you.
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