roken impressions. An awful thing had
happened. What? she asked herself. Then suddenly the vision flashed back
to her, and she shuddered. Lowering her lids, so that the thick, black
fringe of lashes veiled her eyes, she glanced anxiously about. Had it
been a vision and no more, or was it real, and should she have to meet
those accusing eyes again? As she debated thus Virginia stepped forward.

"I think, Countess, that you will do now," said Dr. Grayle. "There is a
wounded man below who needs my services, but refused them until you
should have recovered."

"Oh, go--go!" murmured his patient in irritable weakness.

The little doctor got up, and as he walked quickly away Virginia took his
place.

"Can I do anything for you?" she asked.

The Countess shook her head. Her face looked lined and haggard, despite
its beauty, in the bleaching light of the moon, and Virginia was almost
sorry for her. She could afford to pity the woman now, she thought, for
she had triumphed. Her case was proved beyond all doubt, and even Roger,
who had heard the scream of recognition and witnessed the fainting fit,
could no longer deny that the Countess de Mattos and Liane Devereux were
one. Virginia would not strike a blow at a fallen enemy, and, holding
this woman in the hollow of her hand, as she believed she did, she was
ready to give such help as could be given without injuring the cause she
served.

"Wouldn't you like to go back to your stateroom?" she went on. "You have
had a great shock, and----"

The Countess sat up quickly, pushing her disordered hair away from her
eyes. "I don't know what you mean by a shock," she said, "unless you
refer to the terrible cannonading. That was enough, I should think, to
frighten the bravest. No wonder I fainted. And then, seeing that ghastly
man, dressed like a _forcat_, all dripping wet, and stained red with
blood, was the last drop in the cup of fear. I cannot think what horrors
have been happening to-night."

All Virginia's pity was swept away. Her heart hardened toward this
tiger-woman.

"Cannot you think?" she echoed bitterly. "Then I will tell you. We have
been rescuing an innocent man, who for years has suffered untold miseries
for a crime never committed. Thank heaven that his sufferings are ended
at last, for we have him on board this yacht, which is carrying him away
from New Caledonia at about twenty knots an hour, and we have the proof
with us which will establish his innocence befo