lize that," went on Captain Poland quickly. "But I
thought there might be something."

"There is nothing," and now the yachtsman could not help noticing the
coldness in Viola's voice. He seemed to nerve himself for an effort as
he said:

"Viola"--he paused a moment before adding--"why can't we be friends?
You were decent enough to me some days ago, and now--Have I done
anything--said anything? I want to be friends with you. I want to be--"

He took a step nearer her, but she drew back.

"Please don't think, Captain Poland, that I am not appreciative of what
you have done for me," the girl said quickly. "But--Oh, I really don't
know what to think. It has all been so terrible."

"Indeed it has," said the captain, in a low voice. "But I would like to
help."

"Then perhaps you can!" suddenly exclaimed Viola, and there was a new
note in her voice. "Have you been to see Harry Bartlett in--in jail?"
and she faltered over that word.

"No, I have not," said the captain, and there was a sharp tone in his
answer. "I understood no one was allowed to see him."

"That is true enough," agreed Viola. "They wouldn't let me see him, and
I wanted to--so much. I presume you know how he comes to be in prison."

"It isn't exactly a prison."

"To him it is-and to me," she said. "But you know how he comes to be
there?"

"Yes. I was present at the inquest. By the way, they are to resume it
this week, I heard. The chemists have finished their analyses and are
ready to testify."

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"Yes. But, speaking of Harry--poor chap--it's terrible, of course, but
he may be able to clear himself."

"Clear himself, Captain Poland? What do you mean?" and indignant Viola
faced her caller.

"Oh, well, I mean--" He seemed in some confusion.

"I want to know something," went on Viola. "Did you bring it to the
attention of the coroner or the prosecutor that Harry Bartlett saw my
father just before-before his death, and quarreled with him? Did you
tell that, Captain Poland?"

Viola Carwell was like a stem accuser now.

"Did you?" she demanded again.

"I did," answered Captain Poland, not, however, without an effort. "I
felt that it was my duty to do so. I merely offered it as a suggestion,
however, to one of the prosecutor's detectives. I didn't think it would
lead to anything. I happened to hear your father and Harry having some
words-about what I couldn't catch-and I thought it no more than right
that all the facts