ge than the Chinamen.

She remembered that there had been several white men in the launch when
she had observed it, and that on one occasion Horatio Bilby had been one
of them. Now, Ruth felt not only a great distaste for Bilby, but she
feared him exceedingly.

It might be that the red-faced fat man who had so fretted Mr. Hammond and
her about Wonota, had only crossed the river in the launch as a
passenger. He might have no close connection with the opium smugglers.

But knowing Bilby as she did, Ruth could imagine that he might be mixed
up in almost any illegal business that promised large returns in money.
If he would attempt to steal the Indian girl, why would he not join hands
with opium smugglers and Chinese runners, if he saw a possibility of gain
in those industries?

She wished she might talk to Chess and learn just what was working in his
mind at that moment. She was quite sure that he was by no means as
stunned as he appeared to be.

She approved of his feigning, for as long as these men did not seek to
injure her, why should he incur their further notice? He lay on the rug,
quite as though he was helpless; but she knew he was alert and was ready,
if occasion arose, to show much more agility than the Chinamen or the old
King of the Pipes dreamed.

CHAPTER XXII

THE TWINS' ALARM

It was fully an hour after the _Lauriette_ had chugged away from the dock
at the island where the moving picture company was established that the
motor-boat which had been to Oak Point returned with Tom Cameron aboard.

Tom, with the other men who had been exploring and fishing all day, was
ravenously hungry, but he went around to the veranda of the chief
bungalow where his twin sister and Ruth stayed to see how they were
before even going to wash and to see if he could bribe one of the cooks
to set out "a cold snack."

Tom found Helen on the porch, alone. At a glance, too, he saw that she
was not in a pleasant mood.

"What's gone wrong?" demanded Tom. And with a brother's privilege of
being plain-spoken, he added: "You look cross. Go in search of your
temper."

"Who says I've lost it?" demanded Helen sharply.

"I Cagliostro--Merlin--wizard that I am," chuckled Tom. "I am still
little Brighteyes, and I can see just as far into a spruce plank as the
next one."

"Well, I am mad, if you want to know," sniffed Helen.

"Where's Ruth?"

"She's whom I am mad at," declared the girl, nodding.

"I don't believe it,