of his companionship. There was no use talking to them. It
might be hours before I could convince them and make them go
or send for you. And I couldn't bear to have you kept there
all that time. So I slipped out of the house and ran to the
landing. Just as I got out into the bay. I saw you coming
through that strait back there. I recognized the fruit
launch. And I knew it must be you. For nobody from the key
would have run at such speed toward that clump of reefs. You
capsized. before I could get to you, and--"


She shuddered, and ceased to speak. For another moment or two
there was silence between them. Gavin Brice's mind was busy
with all she said. He was dissecting and analyzing her every
anxious word. He was bringing to bear on the matter not only
his trained powers of logic but his knowledge of human nature.

And all at once he knew this trembling girl was in no way
guilty of the crime attempted against him. He knew, too, from
the speech of Hade's which she had just repeated. that
Standish presumably had had no part in the attempted murder,
but that that detail had been devised by Hade for Roke to put
into execution. Nor. evidently had Davy been let into the
secret by Roke.

In a few seconds Brice had revised his ideas as to the
afternoon's adventures, and had come to a sudden decision.
Speaking with careful forethought and with a definite object
in view, he said: