“We were seven miles off the Eyak River coast, a little south and west.  If her body goes ashore, it will be on the island, or the mainland east of Eyak River.  I am glad you are going to make an effort.  There is a chance.  And I hope you will find her.”

Captain Rifle rose from his chair and walked nervously back and forth.  “It’s a bad blow for the ship—­her first trip,” he said.  “But I’m not thinking of the Nome.  I’m thinking of Mary Standish.  My God, it is terrible!  If it had been anyone else—­anyone—­” His words seemed to choke him, and he made a despairing gesture with his hands.  “It is hard to believe—­almost impossible to believe she would deliberately kill herself.  Tell me again what happened in your cabin.”

Crushing all emotion out of his voice, Alan repeated briefly certain details of the girl’s visit.  But a number of things which she had trusted to his confidence he did not betray.  He did not dwell upon Rossland’s influence or her fear of him.  Captain Rifle saw his effort, and when he had finished, he gripped his hand, understanding in his eyes.

“You’re not responsible—­not so much as you believe,” he said.  “Don’t take it too much to heart, Alan.  But find her.  Find her if you can, and let me know.  You will do that—­you will let me know?”

“Yes, I shall let you know.”

“And Rossland.  He is a man with many enemies.  I am positive his assailant is still on board.”

“Undoubtedly.”

The captain hesitated.  He did not look at Alan as he said:  “There is nothing in Miss Standish’s room.  Even her bag is gone.  I thought I saw things in there when I was with you.  I thought I saw something in your hand.  But I must have been mistaken.  She probably flung everything into the sea—­before she went.”

“Such a thought is possible,” agreed Alan evasively.

Captain Rifle drummed the top of his desk with his finger-tips.  His face looked haggard and old in the shaded light of the cabin.  “That’s all, Alan.  God knows I’d give this old life of mine to bring her back if I could.  To me she was much like—­someone—­a long time dead.  That’s why I broke ship’s regulations when she came aboard so strangely at Seattle, without reservation.  I’m sorry now.  I should have sent her ashore.  But she is gone, and it is best that you and I keep to ourselves a little of what we guess.  I hope you will find her, and if you do—­”

“I shall send you word.”

They shook hands, and Captain Rifle’s fingers still held to Alan’s as they went to the door and opened it.  A swift change had come in the sky.  The stars were gone, and a moaning whisper hovered over the darkened sea.

“A thunder-storm,” said the captain.

His mastery was gone, his shoulders bent, and there was a tremulous note in his voice that compelled Alan to look straight out into darkness.  And then he said,

“Rossland will be sent to the hospital in Cordova, if he lives.”