Slowly but surely the torch was carried towards the Whale's Mouth. Slowly at first, but more quickly as it approached the rock, more quickly as it approached the cave. Second by second the rate increased, until, when it reached the Mouth and disappeared, it was hurrying on as fast as a man could walk. "That's strange!" said Alfred. "I think you told me no one has been able to find out where all this water goes to." "To a place that's more hot than comfortable," said Phelan grimly, directing a look of inquiry towards Jerry. "It all comes back again," said Jerry. "Barring what doesn't," muttered Phelan. "Pull a stroke or two, Tim," he said to the other boatman. "The current is under her keel already, and bad as this world is, I haven't made my will yet. A couple of more strokes, Tim." He looked at Alfred and addressed him, although he could not do so by his name, as he had never heard it. "I beg your pardon, sir; but if you'd like to make money, sir, I'll lay you the price of this day's work to a brass button you never see that torch again, and I'll lie by to watch for it until the ebb is done." Alfred did not answer. His eyes had been raised for a few moments, and were now firmly fixed on the plain of the Black Rock. Jerry was peering intently into the jaws of the Whale's Mouth. Phelan was looking into Alfred's face to see the effect of his offer. "Jerry!" cried Alfred, abruptly. "What?" asked Jerry, without moving his eyes from the cavern. "There's some one on the Black Rock." "Good heavens!" exclaimed O'Brien, looking up. "Not Fahey?" "No," said Alfred. "It's Mrs. Davenport!" CHAPTER XLII. THE RED CAVE. There was no mistaking that figure, and if the figure had not been ample confirmation of identity, there were the full widow's weeds, and, above all, the pale, placid face. The full light of the unclouded sun fell on her. The distance was not great, and she stood out in bold relief against the white field of cloud stretching across the northern sky. On impulse, Alfred rose in the boat, and took off his hat and bowed. She returned his salute, and without a moment's pause drew back from the edge on which she had been standing, and disappeared from view. "Mrs. Davenport!" said Phelan, forgetting his ill-humour in his surprise. "What a place for a lady to be all by herself! I thought Mrs. Davenport was away somewhere in foreign parts." Alfred sat down. The boatmen had resumed their oars, and the yawl was gliding steadily through the water. "Is the Rock really dangerous at this time?" asked Alfred anxiously of Phelan. O'Brien was buried in thought, and did not heed what the others were saying.