THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
on nine when Martin looked at the faintly illuminated dial of his wrist watch for the last time. They were then in the lee of a rock which for the moment disputed their path, and they had paused to regain their breaths before finding their way around it. And it was at that moment of panting silence that they saw the light.
It flashed forth suddenly below them as though in the water: once—twice—three times, and disappeared. So surprised were they that it was not until its faint rays had gone that Martin opened his mouth to hail. That only a sort of gasp issued was due to the fact that his companion laid a warning clutch on his arm.
"Wait!" whispered Nelson. "Don't shout!"
"Why not? It's a boat, you chump!" But Martin dropped his voice to match Nelson's.
"I know, but what's it doing? Let's wait a minute, Mart, and find out. The light wasn't directed toward us, but out to sea, and—Look!"
Very faintly an answering beacon glimmered through the mist: once and again.
"Well, that doesn't prove anything, does it?" asked Martin impatiently. "What's the big idea? Maybe you think it's the German Navy come to take Ireland?"
"I don't know what it is," responded Nelson
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