"Hello, Mary-'Gusta!" hailed Shadrach. "Thought you was lost. Supper's
about ready to put on the table. Why, what's the matter? Been cryin',
ain't you?"

Mary-'Gusta went straight to him and clutched his hand. "Please, Cap'n
Gould," she begged, "will you come into the sittin'-room a minute? I--I
want to ask you somethin'. I want you to do somethin' for me, will you?"

"Sartin sure I will. What is it?"

Mary-'Gusta glanced at Isaiah's face. "I'd--I'd rather tell you, just
you alone," she said. "Please come into the sittin'-room."

She tugged at his hand. Much puzzled, he followed her through the
dining-room and into the sitting-room.

"Well, Mary-'Gusta," he said, kindly, "now what is it? What's the big
secret?"

Mary-'Gusta closed the door. She was very solemn and her lip quivered
but she did not hesitate.

"It's about David," she said. "Somethin's happened to David. I--I'm
goin' to tell you about it, Cap'n Gould."

She told of her adventure and of David's peril. Shadrach listened. When
he heard of the accusation which was the cause of the affair he shook
his head.