"And if I see fit I shall detain him until the inquest is over,"
said Date, which was mere bluff, as the inspector had no warrant
to stop The Firefly or arrest her skipper.
The three men therefore were joined by Date, when they came along
the cinder path abreast of the cottage, and the quartette
proceeded further immediately, walking amongst the bents and
grasses to the rude old wooden jetty, near which Hervey intended
to stop his ship. The night was quite clear of fog, strange to
say, considering the late sea-mist; but a strong wind had been
blowing all day and the fog-wreaths were entirely dispersed. A
full moon rode amongst a galaxy of stars, which twinkled like
diamonds. The air was frosty, and their feet scrunched the earth
and grasses and coarse herbage under foot, as they made rapidly
for the embankment.
When they reached the top they could see the jetty clearly almost
below their feet, and in the distance the glittering lights of
Pierside. Vague forms of vessels at anchor loomed on the water,
and there was a stream of light where the moon made a pathway of
silver. After a casual glance the three men proceeded down the
slope to the jetty. Three of them at least had revolvers, since
Hervey was an ill man to tackle; but probably Date, who was too
dense to consider consequences, was unarmed.
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