champion."

"You are a strange girl."

"Yes; mine is a hard lot; I am a waif; I am nothing; I am all
outcast; a thing, and yet--"

The girl ceased. She had spoken with a wild. energy, and she
had looked ravishingly beautiful while talking.

"And yet, what?" said the detective interrogatively.

"My heart is full of all the ambitions that might fill the
heart of a girl born in the midst of splendor and luxury; and
although the companion of smugglers, I love only what is pure
and beautiful; I cherish the fondest dreams, and yet--"

Again the detective supplemented:

"Well, go on."

"I am a poor, ragged, barefooted girl, the daughter of a
boat-keeper, and that is not all!"

"Tell me all."

"Shall I?"

"Yes."