impelled by the last powerful sweep of the oars, the water streaming
past in a rush of foam.

Slowly, like the hammer-strokes of a deep-toned bell, came Rufus's voice
in answer. "It wasn't to show you anything I brought you here. It was
just to tell you something."

"Really?" Knight's interest was thoroughly aroused. He became alert to
the finger-tips. There was something in the deliberate utterance that
conveyed a sense of danger. A wary gleam shone in his eyes under their
level brows. It was one of his principles when dealing with an uncertain
situation never to betray surprise. "And what may this valuable piece of
information be?" he inquired, with a smile.

Rufus shipped his oars steadily, gravely, with purpose. "I saw you cross
the quicksand last night," he said.

"Indeed!" Knight's voice was of the most casual quality. He was feeling
for his cigarette-case.

Rufus continued heavily, fatefully, gathering force with every word, as
a loosened rock beginning to roll down a mountain side. "The light was
bad. It was a tomfool thing to do. And Columbine was with you."

Knight raised his shoulders ever so slightly. "Or rather--I was with
her. Miss Columbine knows the lie of the quicksand. I--do not."

Rufus went on as if he had not spoken. "There's danger all along that
beach as far as the Spear Point. Adam will tell you the same. When it's
a spring tide there's times when there's such a swell that it's round