ago--to save Mr. Knight from the quicksand!"

Adam's quick brain leapt to instant activity. The girl's presence
baffled him, but it was no time for explanation. In some way she had
discovered Knight in danger, and had rushed to Rufus for help.
Then--then--that vision of his from the quay--that flash of
revelation--had been no dream, after all! He had seen Rufus indeed--and
probably for the last time in his life.

He stood, struck dumb for the moment, recalling every detail of the
clinging figure that had hung above the leaping waves. Then the tragedy
in Columbine's face made him pull himself together once more. He took
her trembling hands.

"It's no good, my girl," he said. "I seen him. Yes, I seen him. I didn't
believe my eyes, but I know now it was true. He was hanging on to a bit
of rock half-way up the Spear Point, and t'other chap was lying across
his shoulder. They've both been washed away by this, for the water's
still coming up. There's not the ghost of a chance for 'em. I say it
'cos I know--not the ghost of a chance!"

A wild cry broke from the girl's lips. She wrenched her hands free and
beat them upon her breast. Then suddenly a burst of wild tears came to
her. She leaned against the cottage wall and sobbed in an agony that
possessed her, soul and body.

Adam stood and looked at her. There was something terrible about the
abandonment of her grief. It made him feel that his own was almost
insignificant beside it. He had never seen any woman weep like that
before. The anguish of it went through his heart.