n upon them in the first stages of hysterics.
But at sight of Iff she pulled up and calmed herself a trifle.

"Oh, sir," she cried, "I'm so glad you're safe, sir! I was asleep in the
kitchen when the fire broke out--and then I thought I heard pistol
shots--and I didn't know but somethin' had happened to you--"

"No," said Iff coolly; "you can see I'm all right."

"And Eph, sir? Where's my husband?" she shrieked.

"Oh," said Iff, at length identifying the woman. "You'll find him down
at the dock--dead drunk in the motor-boat," he told her. "If I were you
I'd go to him right away."

"But whatever will we do for a place to sleep tonight?"

"Help yourself," Iff replied with a generous wave of his hand "You've
all Pennymint to ask shelter of, if you can manage to make your husband
run the boat across."

"But you--what'll you do?"

"I've another boat handy," Iff explained. "We'll go in that."

"And will you rebuild, sir?"

"No," he said gravely, "I don't think so. I fancy this is the last time
I'll ever set foot on Wreck Island. Now clear out," he added with a
sharp change of manner, "and see if you can't sober that drunken fool
up."

Abashed, the woman cringed and turned away. Presently she broke into a
clumsy run and vanished in the direction of the landing-stage.

"You've accepted the identity of Ismay," commented Staff disapprovingly,
as they moved off together to rejoin Eleanor.

"For the last time," said the little man. "Until I get aboard Bascom's
boat again, only. It's the easiest way."

"How do you mean?"

Iff nodded at the blazing building. "That wipes out all scores," he
replied. "What they find of Cousin Artie when that cools off won't be
enough to hold an inquest over; he will be simply thought to have
disappeared, since I won't return to this place. And that's the
easiest way: we don't got any use for inquests at the wind-up of this
giddy dime-novel!"

[Illustration: The light of the great fire illumined not only all the
island, but the waters for miles around

_Page 319_]

* * * * *

The light of the great fire illumined not only all the island but the
waters for miles around. As Bascom's boat drew away, its owner called
Staff's attention to a covey of sails, glowing pink against the dark
background of the mainland as they stood across the arm of the Sound for
the island.

"Neighbours," said Mr. Bascom; "comin' for to se