ut his first
judging--with the consent of the governor!--the facts of the case.

Dyck had built up for himself a reputation as no one in all the history
of the island had been able to do. He commanded by more than official
authority--by personality and achievement. There was no one in the
island but knew they had been saved by his prudence, foresight and
skill. It was to their minds stupendous and romantic. Fortunately they
showed no strong feeling against Lord Mallow. By placing King's House
at disposal as a hospital, and by gifts of food and money to wives and
children of soldiers and civilians, the governor had a little eradicated
his record of neglect.

Lord Mallow had a way with him when he chose to use it. He was not
without the gift for popularity, and he saw now that he could best
attain it by treating Dyck Calhoun well. He saw troops come and go, he
listened to grievances, he corrected abuses, he devised a scheme for
nursing, he planned security for the future, he gave permission for
buccaneer trading with the United States, he had by legislative order
given the Creoles a better place in the civic organism. This was a time
for broad policy--for distribution of cassavi bread, yams and papaws,
for big, and maybe rough, display of power and generosity. He was not
blind to the fact that he might by discreet courses impress favourably
his visitor. All he did was affected by that thought. He could not but
think that Sheila would judge of him by what he did as much as by what
he said.

He looked at her now with interest and longing. He loved to hear her
talk, and she had information which was no doubt truer than most he
received--was closer to the brine, as it were.

"What more can you tell me of Mr. Calhoun and his doings?" he asked
presently. "He is lucky in having so perfect a narrator of his
histories--yet so unexpected a narrator."

A flush stole slowly up Sheila's face, and gave a glow even to the roots
of her hair. She could not endure these references to the dark gulf
between her and Dyck Calhoun.

"My lord," she said sharply, "it is not meet that you should say such
things. Mr. Calhoun was jailed for killing my father--let it be at that.
The last time you saw me you offered me your hand and heart. Well, do
you know I had almost made up my mind to accept your hand, when the news
of this trouble was brought to you, and you left us--to ourselves and
our dangers!"

The governor started. "You are as unfri