rance. "No more safe, being married." The difference, in Li
Ho's opinion, was all the difference between comparative safety and
real danger. Money! As long as Desire had meant money there had been an
instinct in the old scoundrel which, even in his moon-devil fits, had
protected the goose which laid the golden eggs. But now--now this
inhibition was removed, Desire, no longer valuable, was no longer
safeguarded. And who could tell what added grudge of rage and vengeance
might be darkly harbored in the depths of that crafty and unbalanced
mind?

And Desire, unwarned, was even now almost within the madman's reach....
Spence sternly refused to think of this ... there was time yet ...
plenty of time.... The thing to do was to keep cool ... steady
now!

"Kind of pretty, going through these here mountains by moonlight,"
observed the tobacco traveller, inclined to be genial even under
difficulties. "She'll be full tomorrow night. Queer thing that them
there prohibitionists can't keep the moon from getting full!" He
laughed in hearty appreciation of his own cleverness.

The professor, a polite man, tried to smile. And then, suddenly, the
meaning of what had been said came home to him.

Tomorrow night would be full moon!

He had forgotten about the moon.

"Queer cuss," thought the travelling man. "Stares at you polite enough
but never says anything. No conversation. Just about as lively as an
undertaker."

But if Benis had forgotten to remove his eyes from the travelling man,
he did not know it. He did not see him. He saw nothing but
moonlight--moonlight across an uncovered floor and the white dimness of
a bed in the shadow! ... But he must keep cool ... was there time
to stop Desire with a telegram? She was only a day ahead ... no--he
was just too late for that. He knew the time-table by heart. Her train
was already in ... impossible to reach her now!

Fear having reached its limit, his mind swung slowly back to reason....
There was, he told himself, no occasion for panic. Li Ho might have
exaggerated. Besides, a danger known is almost a danger met And Li Ho
knew. Li Ho would be there. When, Desire came he would guard her....
A few hours only ... until he could get to her.... She was safe
for tonight at least. She would not attempt to cross the Inlet, until
the morning. She would have to hire a launch--a thing no woman would
attempt to do at that hour of night. She was in no hurry. She would
stay somewhere in the city