Accordingly he went blindly forward.
If the lookout saw him, at least there was no outcry, no general alarm.
He stood flat against the wall of the main cabin at length and rehearsed a plan, listening the while to the lapping of the waves against the side of the ship.

Then he stole step by step up the ladder to the upper deck.

His head was already above the ladder when he heard the light padding of a bare foot and saw a figure around the corner of the cabin.
Harrigan ducked out of sight and clung to the iron rounds ready to leap up and strike if the sailor should descend the ladder, though in that case the alarm would be given and his errand spoiled; but the sailor was apparently the lookout set there by Hovey.

He stayed at the head of the ladder a moment, humming to himself, and then turned and walked on his beat to the other side of the ship.

Harrigan slipped onto the deck and ran noiselessly to the side of the cabin.