Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 20, 1896 - Travels and excursion, Volume III

THE EBB-TIDE
you. It 's a chance we 've got. — What 's that ? ' he
cried, pointing to the music on the wall.
• What ? ' said the other. * O, that ! It 's music ;
it's a phrase of Beethoven's I was writing up. It
means Destiny knocking at the door.'
'Does it?' said the captain, rather low; and he
went near and studied the inscription; 'and this
French ? ' he asked, pointing to the Latin.
' O, it just means I should have been luckier if I
had died at home,' returned Herrick impatiently.
— * What is this business ? '
'Destiny knocking at the door,' repeated the
captain ; and then, looking over his shoulder, ' Well,
Mr. Herrick, that's about what it comes to,' he
added.
' What do you mean ? Explain yourself,' said
Herrick.
But the captain was again staring at the music.
'About how long ago since you wrote up this
truck ? ' he asked.
' What does it matter ? ' exclaimed Herrick. ' I
daresay half an hour.'
' My God, it 's strange ! ' cried Davis. ' There 's
some men would call that accidental : not me.
That ' and he drew his thick ringer under the
music — 'that's what I call Providence.'
' You said we had a chance,' said Herrick.
' Yes, sir ! ' said the captain, wheeling sud-
denly face to face with his companion. ' I did so.
If you're the man I take you for, we have a
chance.'
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