crisply, "but I'm planning to go home in a few days now, - this
afternoon probably. It's the only chance I shall have." And she prepared
to make good the belated promise with such determination that, after a
wistful glance or two across the slapping white caps, the old skipper
meekly succumbed.

It was here Blair found her an hour or so later. Unceremoniously he
placed himself in front of her, his hands in his pockets, and gave vent
to a low whistle.

"Well, of all the - !"

"Oh, is it you, Mr. Blair?" she inquired in cool, sweet tones. "I
thought most probably you'd gone! Didn't you say yesterday you intended
to as soon as you'd seen the cavern?" Then, after a pause during which
Blair said nothing, "I've been getting dreadfully behind with my own
work, so I thought, if you didn't mind, I'd try to catch up a little
this morning."

"Certainly not. Take all the time you want! We've about finished anyway,
I guess." His coolness matched her own.

Another silence during which she painted furiously.

"I'm making a sketch of Pal holding the gaff," she ventured at length
when the strain had become too uncomfortable.

"So I see."

This second tentative effort at conversation having flickered and gone