The bookmaker had scarcely gone when I heard a step behind me, and I turned and saw Justine Caron standing timidly at the door, her eyes upon the sleeper.

She spoke quietly.

"Is he very ill ?" I answered that he was, but also that for some days I could not tell how dangerous his illness might be.

She went to the berth where he lay, the reflected light from without playing weirdly on his face, and smoothed the pillow gently.
"If you are willing, I will watch for a time," she said.

"Everybody is on deck.