He was not soon enough to see the person who had just disappeared through an opposite door but he knew that it was a woman.

Directly in front of him as if she had been expecting his arrival was a young girl, and no sooner had he put a foot over the threshold than she hurried toward him, the most acute anxiety and fear written in her face.
"You are Captain Plum ?" she asked breathlessly.
Nathaniel stopped in astonishment.
"Yes, I'm--" "Then you must hurry--hurry!" cried the girl excitedly.

"You have not a moment to lose! Go back to your ship before it is too late! She says they will kill you--" "Who says so ?" thundered Captain Plum.

He sprang to the girl's side and caught her by the arm.

"Who says that I will be killed?
Tell me--who gave you this warning for me ?" "I--I--tell you so!" stammered the young girl.