r life is all in all to me. I dare
not risk it."

His gaze was now pure admiration. "As you will," he answered. "For he
that loseth his life shall gain it."

"If ever we land alive," Hilda answered, glowing red in spite of the
danger, "I shall remind you of that word. I shall call upon you to
fulfil it."

The boat was lowered, and still Hilda stood by my side. One second
later, another shock shook us. The Vindhya parted amidships, and we
found ourselves struggling and choking in the cold sea water.

It was a miracle that every soul of us was not drowned that moment, as
many of us were. The swirling eddy which followed as the Vindhya sank
swamped two of the boats, and carried down not a few of those who were
standing on the deck with us. The last I saw of the first officer was
a writhing form whirled about in the water; before he sank, he shouted
aloud, with a seaman's frank courage, "Say it was all my fault; I accept
the responsibility. I ran her too close. I am the only one to blame for
it." Then he disappeared in the whirlpool caused by the sinking ship,
and we were left still struggling.

One of the life-rafts, hastily rigged by the sailors, floated our way.
Hilda struck out a stroke or two and caught it. She dragged herself
on to it, and beckoned me to follow. I could see she was holding on to
something tightly. I struck out in turn and reached the raft, which was
composed of two seats, fastened together in haste at the first note
of danger. I hauled myself up by Hilda's side. "Help me to pull him
aboard!" she cried, in an agonised voice. "I am afraid he has lost
consciousness!" Then I looked at the object she was clutching in her
hands. It was Sebastian's white head, apparently quite lifeless.

I pulled him up with her and laid him out on the raft. A very faint
breeze from the south-west had sprung up; that and a strong seaward
current that sets round the rocks were carrying us straight out from the
Breton coast and all chance of rescue, towards the open channel.

But Hilda thought nothing of such physical danger. "We have saved him,
Hubert!" she cried, clasping her hands. "We have saved him! But do you
think he is alive? For unless he is, MY chance, OUR chance, is gone
forever!"

I bent over and felt his pulse. As far as I could make out, it still
beat feebly.

CHAPTER XII

THE EPISODE OF THE DEAD MAN WHO SPOKE

I will not trouble you with details of those three terrible days and
nights when