There was no yielding, and for the moment no sound reached him from without.

The woman was doubtless there on guard, and any effort he might make to break down the door would only bring the whole gang upon him.

Unarmed, he could not hope to fight them all.

As he stood there, hesitating, unable to determine what to attempt, he became aware of a throbbing under foot, increasing in intensity.

West knew instantly what it meant--they were testing out the engine; if all worked well, the boat would cast off.
He sprang back to the port and stared out, eagerly hoping that, as they swept out into the lake, he might find some opportunity to communicate with some one on the pier.