rway above. Instinctively Eben drew back, and
stood on the defensive, with every nerve strung to the highest tension.

Slowly the captain descended, and when he had reached the bottom of the
stairway he stopped and looked around. In an instant he comprehended
the situation, and a twinkle appeared in his eyes as he turned them
upon his son.

"Is this the way ye obey orders?" he demanded. "Didn't I tell ye not
to come near this cabin?"

"I know ye did, but that was last night," was the surly reply. "Ye
didn't tell me to stay away this mornin'."

The captain stared at his son for a few seconds as if he had not heard
aright.

"Well, I declare!" he exclaimed. "I gave ye credit fer some brains,
but I guess I was mistaken."

"Don't blame your son, Captain," the girl interposed. "It was not his
fault that he is here, but mine. I asked him to come."

"Ye did! Why, I thought ye didn't want anybody 'cept me to know of yer
whereabouts."

"But it's different with your son here. He had to find out, anyway,
you see, so it was just as well for him to do so this morning."

"So ye waited until I got on shore, eh? H'm, I guess all gals are
alike, as sly as a weasel. As soon as the old man was out of the way,
you two became very chummy. Fergot everything else most likely. It's
a wonder ye weren't paradin' up an' down the deck."

"Oh, we took good care to keep out of sight," the girl laughingly
replied. "We had enough sense left for that. This is certainly a
great hiding place."

"D'ye think so, Miss? But mebbe it isn't so good as ye imagine."

A startled expression came into the girl's eyes, as she turned them
full upon the captain's face.

"Thar, thar, don't be alarmed," the latter comforted. "I didn't mean
to frighten ye. I only wanted to warn ye, that's all."

"Did you hear anything about me while ashore?" the girl asked. "Has
anyone any suspicion that I am here?"

"It seems that way."

"Oh!"

"Yes," the captain continued, "I was talkin' to a young feller on
shore, an' he sent ye his kind regards."

"Not Mr. Donaster! Oh, say it wasn't that man."

"No, it wasn't that critter, but another, an' a fine chap, too. Mebbe
ye kin guess his name. He seemed mighty interested, an' asked me a
number of questions."

"Did he?" The sigh of relief which the girl gave was more expressive
than words. The captain chuckled as he watched her, and his eyes
twinkled.

"Yes, Miss, he came along in a car an