are backing out of it?" demanded Mr.
Turnbull.

"No," said Blundell, slowly, "but it would be much better if I saved
somebody else. I don't want Daly to be pitied."

"Bah! you are backing out of it," said the irritated Mr. Turnbull.
"You're afraid of a little cold water."

[Illustration: "Bah! you are backing out of it,' said the irritated Mr.
Turnbull."]

"No, I'm not," said Blundell; "but it would be better in every way to
save somebody else. She'll see Daly standing there doing nothing, while
I am struggling for my life. I've thought it all out very carefully. I
know I'm not quick, but I'm sure, and when I make up my mind to do a
thing, I do it. You ought to know that."

"That's all very well," said the other; "but who else is there to push
in?"

"That's all right," said Blundell, vaguely. "Don't you worry about that;
I shall find somebody."

Mr. Turnbull turned and cast a speculative eye along the quay. As a
rule, he had great confidence in Blundell's determination, but on this
occasion he had his doubts.

"Well, it's a riddle to me," he said, slowly. "I give it up. It seems--
Halloa! Good heavens, be careful. You nearly had me in then."

"Did I?" said Blundell, thickly. "I'm very sorry."

Mr. Turnbull, angry at such carelessness, accepted the apology in a
grudging spirit and trudged along in silence. Then he started nervously
as a monstrous and unworthy suspicion occurred to him. It was an
incredible thing to suppose, but at the same time he felt that there was
nothing like being on the safe side, and in tones not quite free from
significance he intimated his desire of changing places with his awkward
friend.

"It's all right," said Blundell, soothingly.

"I know it is," said Mr. Turnbull, regarding him fixedly; "but I prefer
this side. You very near had me over just now."

"I staggered," said Mr. Blundell.

"Another inch and I should have been overboard," said Mr. Turnbull, with
a shudder. "That would have been a nice how d'ye do."

Mr. Blundell coughed and looked seaward. "Accidents will happen," he
murmured.

They reached the end of the quay again and stood talking, and when they
turned once more the sergeant was surprised and gratified at the ease
with which he bore off Venia. Mr. Turnbull and Blundell followed some
little way behind, and the former gentleman's suspicions were somewhat
lulled by finding that his friend made no attempt to take the inside
place. He look