He watched the long shaft of light with half-involuntary attention.

He noted in an idle way various details along the cliffs that were revealed by the white glow.

It touched the hotel at last and rested there for the fraction of a minute.
And then a strange thing happened.
Looking upwards as he was, with fascinated eyes, following the slanting line of light, Merefleet saw a sight which was destined to live in his memory for all the rest of his life, strive as he might to rid himself of it.
As in a dream-picture he saw the figure of a girl standing on the steps of the terrace in front of the hotel.

The searchlight discovered her and lingered upon her.

She stood in the brilliant line of light, a splendid vision of almost unearthly beauty.