could best serve her. If I followed
my inclination, told him frankly that I had already deserted my
allegiance to those men in the North, and only remained loyal to the
woman, the confession would possibly react upon us both. We would be
held prisoners indefinitely. If, on the other hand, I appeared to
hesitate, a way of service might be opened before me, and, with it, a
path to freedom, for us both. The decision had to be made quickly.

"Never mind the sum," I said soberly. "I am not altogether mercenary,
although I need money. I 'll say this, however, and you can take it
for what it may be worth. I originally came into this game believing I
was doing a kindness to a helpless man who was being defrauded of his
rights. There is no necessity of my going into details, but Neale told
me an apparently straight story, and convinced me my part was a mere
form. Later I learned different, and promptly quit. I have n't sent
in a line of report to my employers."

"What convinced you of the fraud?"

"A conversation with Mrs. Henley."

"Oh, the woman, hey!" his tone again sarcastic. "Always the woman;
more to be valued than great riches, aye! even than fine gold. Good
Lord, Craig, don't be a wooden-headed fool. I tell you plainly Philip
Henley was never married, and I know. This girl is a mere adventuress
unworthy of any consideration."

"You claim still to be Henley?" I asked, stifling my indignation.

"Not only claim, but am. My identity is already firmly established in
court. Lawyers have the final papers ready to file."

"You do not in any way resemble the photograph shown me of the man."

"A fake picture; we have known something of Neale's plans from the
first."

The man was apparently so confident, that I began to doubt my own
conclusions, and yet I could not doubt her. Whatever other falsehoods
might compass me about, she was to be implicitly trusted.

"Is the woman on board?" I questioned.

He hesitated just an instant.

"Yes."

"Will you have her brought here?"

He walked across the cabin twice, turning the proposition over in his
mind. Apparently concluding that the ordeal might as well be over with
first as last, he opened the door, and gave an order to Peters. Then
he returned to his seat at the desk.

"This is all silly enough, Craig, but I might as well convince you both
now, as later, that I hold the cards. The lady may try a bluff, if she
is that kind, but it will be soon over.