And again they were still. The launch twanged and hooted, somebody was singing. Then as if the night smashed, suddenly there was a great shout, a confusion of shouting, warring on the water, then the horrid noise of paddles reversed and churned violently.

Gerald sat up, and Gudrun looked at him in fear.

‘Somebody in the water,’ he said, angrily, and desperately, looking keenly across the dusk. ‘Can you row up?’

‘Where, to the launch?’ asked Gudrun, in nervous panic.

‘Yes.’

‘You’ll tell me if I don’t steer straight,’ she said, in nervous apprehension.

‘You keep pretty