How should I know who they were? By what right do you ask me that?"
she demanded.

"The circumstances are somewhat unusual, madam, you must admit,"
Kendrick reminded her sharply. "Do you wish me to play safe by handing
you over to the police?"

"Police? My Good Gracious me! What crime have I committed?"

"That would be a matter for official enquiry. It may be that you and
your husband are in the habit of wandering about the Island in a thick
fog at two o'clock in the morning--picking daisies for the sick kiddies
over at the Children's Home, I presume--but, to be perfectly frank with
you, I doubt it. Besides, there is the little matter of the launch."

"Why are you so interested in that launch?"

"Because I happen to be the nephew of my uncle who happens to own it
and to have left it in my charge during his absence," said Kendrick
deliberately. "I'm laying the cards face up, madam. The launch is the
property of Honorable Milton Waring, of whom you may have heard.
Undoubtedly it has been stolen."

He was not prepared for the laughter with which his unknown passenger
greeted this bold announcement. He knew she was trying to smother her
mirth, but it finally broke all bounds. A very musical laugh it was,
very pleasant to hear.

"Oh, please forgive me," she gasped finally. "It is very rude of me, I
know; but--you said you were the Honorable Milt's nephew--" Again she
laughed in spite of herself.

"You know my uncle?" he asked eagerly.

"I read the papers," she said evasively. "Everybody knows a public
man."

"I'm laying the cards face up, madam," repeated Kendrick solemnly. "My
name is Kendrick--Philip Kendrick. I was on my way home when
you--well, shanghaied me. Won't you meet me half way by equal
frankness, so that we may avoid--well, any unpleasantness?"

"You mean--?" She had stopped laughing.

"That unless you answer legitimate questions I shall be forced to hand
you over to the police."

"I warn you that you would regret it," she said quietly.

"Very much," agreed Kendrick readily. "I would be sorry to cause you
any inconvenience; but surely you see how impossible it is for me to
avoid being inquisitive under the circumstances. Are you going to be
frank with me or not?"

She did not answer him immediately and he smiled to himself as he
paddled in silence. For, if the truth must be told, Mr. Philip
Kendrick was enjoying himself immensely. He had only the sound of her
voice from w