I recall this flash of thought, yet my attention almost instantly reverted elsewhere.

The closer we hugged the shore the greater the opportunity for escape, the more vital the necessity of immediately establishing communication with the fair prisoner below.
A glance sufficed to convince that I was alone, and unobserved.

The deck was unobstructed aft, except for a small boat swung to davits astern, and the cabin transoms.

These last were elevated some three feet, but considerable space separated from the rail.

I slipped into this opening on the port side, crouching in the dense shadow, until again assured I was alone.