The water was bitterly cold; it chilled him.

He was far too much occupied in fighting the current to think properly, but certain flashes of intelligence came across his mind concerning the death he might be going to die.

His first clear thoughts were about a black object that was coming near on the surface of the water.

Then a shout reached him, and a stronger swimmer than he pulled him to the island.
"Now, in the devil's name, Caius Simpson!" The deliverer was the man who had come over the fence, and he shook himself as he spoke.

His words were an interrogation relating to all that had passed.