There were no boats out.
They had made another abortive search of the island. There was no trace of the missing physician.
Vera looked up at the house from where they were standing. She said, her breath coming with a slight catch in it: "One feels safer here, out in the open... Don't let's go back into the house again."
Lombard said: "Not a bad idea.
We're pretty safe here, no one can get at us without our seeing him a long time beforehand."
Vera said: "We'll stay here."
Blore said: "Have to pass the night somewhere. We'll have to go back to the house then."
Vera shuddered,
"I can't bear it.
I can't go through another night!"
Philip said: "You'll be safe enough - locked in your room."
Vera murmured: "I suppose so."
She stretched out her hands, murmuring: "It's lovely - to feel the sun again..."
She thought: "How odd... I'm almost happy.
And yet I suppose I'm actually in danger... Somehow - now - nothing seems to matter... not in daylight... I feel full of power - I feel that I can't die..."
Blore was looking at his wrist-watch.
He said: "It's two o'clock.
What about lunch?"
Vera said obstinately: "I'm not going back to the house.
I'm going to stay here - in the open."
"Oh, come now, Miss Claythorne.
Got to keep your strength up, you know."
Vera said: "If I even see a tinned tongue, I shall be sick!
I don't want any food.
People go days on end with nothing sometimes when they're on a diet."
Blore said: "Well, I need my meals regular.
What about you, Mr. Lombard?"
Philip said: "You know, I don't relish the idea of tinned tongue particularly.
I'll stay here with Miss Claythorne."
Blore hesitated.
Vera said: "I shall be quite all right.
I don't think he'll shoot me as soon as your back is turned if that's what you're afraid of."
Blore said: "It's all right if you say so.
But we agreed we ought not to separate."
Philip said: "You're the one who wants to go into the lion's den.
I'll come with you if you like?"
"No, you won't," said Blore.
"You'll stay here."
Philip laughed. "So you're still afraid of me?
Why, I could shoot you both this very minute if I liked."
Blore said: "Yes, but that wouldn't be according to plan.
It's one at a time, and it's got to be done in a certain way."
"Well," said Philip, "you seem to know all about it."
"Of course," said Blore, "it's a bit jumpy going up to the house alone -"
Philip said softly: "And therefore, will I lend you my revolver?
Answer, no, I will not!
Not quite so simple as that, thank you."
Blore shrugged his shoulders and began to make his way up the steep slope to the house.
Lombard said softly: "Feeding time at the Zoo!
The animals are very regular in their habits!"