s that, I came to help my brother; and, above all, Captain, I
came to satisfy myself whether love could really die."

Natalie had listened intently to a story she already had heard, and at
Mrs. Goring's concluding words she shivered slightly and added: "And by
God's grace, it cannot--if it is love."

Barry glanced inquiringly at the girl, and she blushed rosily. He said
softly: "You have something to say in this, I'm sure, for you made a
remark about the success of my expedition that was quite at variance
with some of your earlier remarks to me."

"Why--I have scarcely anything to say," Natalie hesitated with
heightened color. "I ought to tell you why I seemed to doubt you,
though. That is due to you, after you have lost your ship and everything
in my behalf. I am ashamed to tell it, but I was completely fascinated
by that man. I believed in him utterly, and so did the Mission folks.
You can believe that when I gave up the Mission work at his word and
placed myself under his protection from your crew of pirates, as he
called you."

"Go on," urged Barry, as she paused.

"That is all, I think, Captain. While I believed him, of course I
doubted you, whom I had met but once or twice. Then after Mr. Gordon
recovered and I heard a dispute one day between him and Leyden, when
Gordon and I had been left alone for an hour, I saw a light and demanded
to know the truth of Mrs. Goring, whom I had grown to love. The story
she told was duplicated by Mr. Gordon, and again by Lieutenant
Vandersee, backed up by a stolen glimpse at the _Padang's_ papers,
showing she had cleared for Europe, and not for Batavia, as I had been
led to believe. I was forced to see the horrible situation I had placed
myself in; for if this schooner ever got out to sea--" She stopped in
distress, and Barry pressed her hand gently. He asked quietly:

"And you believe in me now, Natalie?"

"I have never doubted you since that horrible day I saw you on the ant
hill. But since that day I, too, have played a part. Mrs. Goring's
proved wrongs and my own narrow escape steeled me to help Vandersee, as
he asked me. I did my poor best, Captain; but I am so glad it's all
over."

Barry realized that the tale was told. His first impulse was to give
Gordon a hard hand-grip of friendship; his second to tell Mrs. Goring
his high opinion of her courage and loyalty. He followed both impulses,
but felt a little embarrassment in addressing the lady of various names.
He t