ing contrast to his former pomposity, "I can understand how, from
your point of view, my recent course of action may be open to
misconception. I hope, however, to prove to you very quickly that,
while I may have made mistakes and played the part of a fool, I have
acted with the most honorable intentions, as well as with a sincere
desire to advance the cause to which I am pledged. You need not fear
that I shall omit any detail, nor fail to state the exact facts of the
case, for I realize only too clearly how absolutely my reputation rests
in the hands of you two. I also believe that my very life depends on
Hester's influence with yonder savages, and the extent to which he is
willing to exert it. Therefore, with your permission, I will begin my
story at the moment when, as I was taking my accustomed evening bath on
Pelee Point some ten days ago, there came a sound of distant firing
that caused you, Hester, to seize your gun and disappear without a
word. I must say that at the time I felt rather sore over your
desertion, nor can I understand now how it is that I meet you so far
from those whom I thought you were most anxious to discover and
protect."

"Do you mean," demanded Donald, excitedly, "that you know what became
of my sister Edith and her companion?"

"I do, for I not only spent two days in their company about a week ago,
but it is owing to Miss Hester, your sister, that I find myself in this
present predicament."

"How? Where? Are they safe?" demanded both listeners.

"I believe them to be comparatively safe," replied Bullen, "but if you
will permit me to continue my story in my own way, you can judge for
yourselves."

"Very well! only get on quickly," urged Christie, who was now as
eagerly interested as he had been indifferent but a moment before.

"As I was saying," continued the paymaster, "Hester had hardly
disappeared when both myself and my man were seized by the Indians of
our crew, and for a moment I thought they were about to put us to
death. Then they hit on another plan with regard to me, which was to
set me adrift, naked as I was, in my tub. What they did with poor
Tummas I have no knowledge."

"Set you adrift in your tub?" repeated Donald, incredulously.

"Yes. You know I always claimed that it was a capital life preserver,
though I must admit that I would have chosen to test its sea-going
qualities on a body of water somewhat smaller than Lake Erie. However,
as I had no choice in