With head projected far below the deck level I ventured a soft whisper into the darkness: "Are you there, Chevalier ?" There was a slight movement beneath, as if he drew closer to where I was.
"Yes, it is all right," he returned, his voice so modulated as to be barely audible.

"But I discover nothing in this darkness to aid in reaching the deck.

Know you where a rope can be secured ?" "Ay; lie quiet until I return." It was a bit ticklish, yet required doing.

A trip to the foremast put in my possession quite a section of line sliced from off the rope's end previously left dangling from the upper yard.

Incidentally as I passed back and forth I revisited Father Cassati, still resting easily in his bonds, but now peacefully sleeping off his earlier potations undiscovered upon the hard deck.