In spite of St.Luc and his faith in him he dismissed it as an impossibility.

If Van Zoon had wished his death he would not have been taken out of the river.

He must seek elsewhere the reason of his present state.
He listened attentively, and it seemed to him that the creaking and groaning of the cordage increased.

Once or twice he thought he heard footsteps over his head, but he concluded that it was merely the imagination.

Then, after an interminable period of waiting, the door to the room opened and a man carrying a ship's lantern entered, followed closely by another.