ply was enwrapped within a low chuckle. "I
have fairly good eyes, though, and a very good equipment of the other
senses."

"Then for the love of Moses Malachi, don't talk in riddles!" snapped
Barry. Little leaned forward, fascinated by the small circle of
Vandersee's florid face illumined by the glowing tip of his cheroot.

"Excuse me, Captain Barry," smiled back the Hollander. "I am forgetting
that you have been tied to ship's business and have not had my
opportunities. I mean, by the task being finished sooner, that Leyden
has cast aside all subtleties and is going straight for his mark in
spite of you. There is little to do now except to go out openly for him
and get him. He has this evening finally persuaded Miss Sheldon, I
believe, to accompany him when his schooner leaves--"

"What!" shouted Barry, springing up to the imminent peril of the boat.

"Sh-h," warned Vandersee respectfully yet irresistibly pulling the
skipper down. "Sh-h! Nothing is to be gained by anger. Will you take my
assurance that Miss Sheldon is at present in even better hands than your
own? Oh, I know something of your mind, Captain. I have similar hopes
and expectations for you with regard to the little Mission lady. And I
can put you easy in your mind. Miss Sheldon is not for Leyden. Nor is
any other woman in this world. That is all I can tell you now; but I
swear it."

Barry sat silent for some moments, cooling off before he would trust
himself to speak. And the influence of Vandersee spread over all like a
beneficent spirit, instilling calmness and confidence where a short time
before had been bewilderment.

"But you admit yourself he has slipped us, Vandersee," said Barry at
length.

"For the moment, yes. But you may be sure Leyden is still in the river,
and you are between him and his ship. That is one fact that makes the
thing simple. I came down merely to tell you that he has struck, and
that in spite of him Miss Sheldon's situation need not worry you,
Captain. I felt that you would be easier for the knowledge."

"Then you know where he's flown to?" Little queried, breaking a long
silence during which he had sat motionless, staring up at the vague
outlines of the Hollander's face.

"Not precisely, Mr. Little, but near enough to give Captain Barry a
useful hint. For one thing, he's at this moment picking up arms, which
he left his ship without for purposes of policy regarding the feelings
of his friends at the Mission."

"Oh,