time some of these days dress up in that four hundred dollar suit
you bought and then send me word. I'd like to see it."

He went out. The door of the outer shop slammed. Jed wiped the
perspiration from his forehead and groaned helplessly and
hopelessly.

The captain had reached the gate when he saw Phillips coming along
the road toward him. He waited until the young man arrived.

"Hello, Captain," hailed Charles. "So you decided not to come back
to the bank this afternoon, after all?"

His employer nodded. "Yes," he said. "I've been kept away on
business. Funny kind of business, too. Say, Charlie," he added,
"suppose likely your sister and you would be too busy to see me for
a few minutes now? I'd like to see if you've got an answer to a
riddle."

"A riddle?"

"Um-hm. I've just had the riddle sprung on me and it's got MY head
whirlin' like a bottle in a tide rip. Can I come into your house
for a minute and spring it on you?"

The young man looked puzzled, which was not surprising, but his
invitation to come into the house was most cordial. They entered
by the front door. As they came into the little hall they heard a
man's voice in the living-room beyond. It was Major Grover's voice
and they heard the major say:

"It doesn't matter at all. Please understand I had no thought of
asking. I merely wanted you to feel that what that fellow said had
no weight with me whatever, and to assure you that I will make it
my business to see that he keeps his mouth shut. As for the other
question, Ruth--"

Ruth Armstrong's voice broke in here.

"Oh, please," she begged, "not now. I--I am so sorry I can't tell
you everything, but--but it isn't my secret and--and I can't.
Perhaps some day-- But please believe that I am grateful, very,
very grateful. I shall never forget it."

Charlie, with an anxious glance at Captain Hunniwell, cleared his
throat loudly. The captain's thoughts, however, were too busy with
his "riddle" to pay attention to the voices in the living-room. As
he and Phillips entered that apartment Major Grover came into the
hall. He seemed a trifle embarrassed, but he nodded to Captain
Sam, exchanged greetings with Phillips, and hurried out of the
house. They found Ruth standing by the rear window and looking out
toward the sea.

The captain plunged at once into his story. He began by asking
Mrs. Armstrong if her brother had told her of the missing four
hundred dollars. Charles