drew out his watch.

"Mr. Marshall," he said, "if the cable is working, I'll take your
tin sign away from you by sunset."

For one of Marshall's traditions, to such a speech there was no
answer save silence. He bowed, and, apparently serene and
undismayed, resumed his seat. From the contest, judging from the
manner of each, it was Marshall, not Hanley, who had emerged
victorious.

But Miss Cairns was not deceived. Under the unexpected blow,
Marshall had turned older. His clear blue eyes had grown less
alert, his broad shoulders seemed to stoop. In sympathy, her own
eyes filled with sudden tears.

"What will you do?" she whispered.

"I don't know what I shall do," said Marshall simply. "I should
have liked to have resigned. It's a prettier finish. After forty
years--to be dismissed by cable is--it's a poor way of ending it."

Miss Cairns rose and walked to the door. There she turned and
looked back.

"I am sorry," she said. And both understood that in saying no more
than that she had best shown her sympathy.

An hour later the sympathy of Admiral Hardy was expressed more
directly.