For a moment they were quite alone on the dark deck, though they heard
voices near at hand.
They were groping their way toward the main saloon, where they had left
Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne, when Shirley was aware of some one lurking near.
A figure seemed to be crouching close by, and she felt its furtive
movements and knew that it had passed but remained a few feet away. Her
hand on Armitage's arm tightened.
"What is that?--there is some one following us," she said.
At the same moment Armitage, too, became aware of the presence of a
stooping figure behind him. He stopped abruptly and faced about.
"Stand quite still, Miss Claiborne."
He peered about, and instantly, as though waiting for his voice, a tall
figure rose not a yard from him and a long arm shot high above his head
and descended swiftly. They were close to the rail, and a roll of the
ship sent Armitage off his feet and away from his assailant. Shirley
at the same moment threw out her hands, defensively or for support, and
clutched the arm and shoulder of the man who had assailed Armitage. He
had driven a knife at John Armitage, and was poising himself for another
attempt when Shirley seized his arm.
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