"Well, hang it all, man, what do you suggest?"

During the evening an idea had occurred to Hilliard and he returned
to it now.

"I'll tell you," he answered slowly, and instinctively he lowered
his voice. "I'll tell you what we must do. We must see their
steamer loaded. I've been thinking it over. We must see what, if
anything, goes on board that boat beside pit-props."

Merriman only grunted in reply, but Hilliard, realizing his
condition, was satisfied.

And Merriman, lying awake that night on the port locker of the
Swallow, began himself to realize his condition, and to understand
that his whole future life and happiness lay between the dainty
hands of Madeleine Coburn.



CHAPTER 5

THE VISIT OF THE "GIRONDIN"

Next morning found both the friends moody and engrossed with their
own thoughts.

Merriman was lost in contemplation of the new factor which had come
into his life. It was not the first time he had fancied himself in