He scanned the land and the sea. On the arc of their horizon lay the
black hull of a tramp steamer going eastwards. Far away to the west
was a speck of white and against the pale sky a film of smoke.
Landwards beyond the shimmering water stretched the sunny bay of the
casino. Its gilt cupolas shot tiny flames. The green-topped point,
its hither side deep in shadow, reached out helplessly for them.
Somerset and Ottilie still paused, doing nothing more than keeping
themselves afloat, and they felt the current drifting them ever
seawards.
"It looks like death," he said gravely. "Are you afraid to die?"