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entertained a friend of yours who brought a letter from you to papa--the Count de

Cadenet."

Again that telltale flush mantled the man's cheek. He cursed himself inwardly for

his lack of self-control. The girl would have his whole secret out of him in another

half-hour if he were not more careful.

They made me do that," he said, jerking his thumb in the general direction of

Skipper Simms' cabin. "Maybe that accounts for their bringing me along. The

Count de Cadenet' is a fellow named Theriere, second mate of this ship. They

sent him to learn your plans; when you expected sailing from Honolulu and your

course. They are all crooks and villains. If I hadn't done as they bid they would

have killed me."

The girl made no comment, but Divine saw the contempt in her face.

"I didn't know that they were going to do this. If I had I'd have died before I'd have

written that note," he added rather lamely.

The girl was suddenly looking very sad. She was thinking of Billy Mallory who

had died in an effort to save her. The mental comparison she was making

between him and Mr. Divine was not overly flattering to the latter gentleman.

"They killed poor Billy," she said at last. "He tried to protect me."

Then Mr. Divine understood the trend of her thoughts. He tried to find some

excuse for his cowardly act; but with the realization of the true cowardliness and

treachery of it that the girl didn't even guess he understood the futility of seeking

to extenuate it. He saw that the chances were excellent that after all he would be

compelled to resort to force or threats to win her hand at the last.

Billy would have done better to have bowed to the inevitable as I did," he said.

Living I am able to help you now. Dead I could not have prevented them carrying

out their intentions any more than Billy has, nor could I have been here to aid

you now any more than he is. I cannot see that his action helped you to any great

extent, brave as it was."

The memory of it and him will always help me," she answered quietly. "They will

help me to bear whatever is before me bravely, and, when the time comes, to die

bravely; for I shall always feel that upon the other side a true, brave heart is

awaiting me."

The man was silent. After a moment the girl spoke again. "I think I would rather

be alone, Larry," she said. "I am very unhappy and nervous. Possibly I could sleep

now."

The Mucker