I lifted him gently out onto the shingle, and turned to and pulled out of the harbour.

Others, I knew, would soon be across to Brecqhou, and would see to him and the rest.

My work lay on Herm, and as like as not might end there, for death as sudden and certain as Helier Le Marchant's awaited me if Torode set eyes on me, and that I knew full well.
Had my brain been working quietly I should probably have doubted the wisdom of crossing to Herm in daylight.

But all my thoughts were in a vast confusion, with this one thought only overtopping all the rest,--Carette was in the hands of Torode, and I must get there as quickly as possible.
There are times when foolish recklessness drives headlong through the obstacles which reason would bid one avoid, and so come desperate deeds accomplished while reason sits pondering the way.
I have since thought that the only possible reason why I succeeded in crossing unseen was that the boiling anxiety within drove me to the venture at once.

I followed so closely on their track that they had not yet had time to take precautions, which presently they did.