More than an hour had passed, and they were even dozing, when one of the three⁠—each said it was he, and he had not dozed⁠—made out Riderhood in his boat at the spot agreed on. They sprang up, came out from their shelter, and went down to him. When he saw them coming, he dropped alongside the causeway; so that they, standing on the causeway, could speak with him in whispers, under the shadowy mass of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters fast asleep.

“Blest if I can make it out!” said he, staring at them.

“Make what out? Have you seen him?”

“No.”

“What have you seen?” asked Lightwood. For, he was staring at them in the strangest way.

“I’ve seen his boat.”