x and
pushed off in the dinghy.

CHAPTER XIII

A Visit, A Discovery and a Kiss

In the cool of the evening, I came to the conclusion that I had earned
for myself the privilege of the enjoyment of a swim, so I threw my
clothes on my bed, got into my costume, ran out on to the rocks, dived
in and away.

I did not go out into the Bay this time, but kept leisurely along the
beach fronting the neighbouring property, keeping at a safe distance
from the tangle of seaweed, which, somehow, seemed to gather at that
particular part of the Crescent.

I amused myself for half an hour, then I returned dripping and in
splendid humour with myself, with my friends and even with Joe Clark.

I did not notice an extra boat moored alongside the miscellaneous small
craft at the wharf, so, when I stepped noiselessly into my front room,
I was more than surprised to find Rita Clark standing there, in the
fading light, looking over my book shelves.

She turned with an exclamation, and her face lit up with a smile which
was bewitching, although I fancied it just a little bit forced.

"Oh!--it's you," she cried. "I knew you wouldn't be very long away.
Been having another try to see whether you're a man or a fish? Guess
the fish will win out if you're not careful."

She became solemn suddenly.

"Say!--you go in there and get dressed. I just got to talk to you
about something."

"Gracious goodness! Is it as serious as all that, Miss Clark?" I
quizzed.

"Serious enough. You go in and hurry, anyway."

"I won't be two minutes," I cried, going into my bedroom and dressing
as quickly as possible, puzzling all the while as to what the girl had
on her mind. Something connected with Joe,--I hadn't a doubt.

"Well,--what's the trouble?" I asked, as I returned and sat down in a
wicker chair opposite her.

She seemed more glum than ever.

"What did you want to go and scrap with Joe for?" she asked in a
worried way.

"I'm very sorry, Miss Clark----"

"Oh!--call me Rita," she put in impatiently.

"Well,--I'm very sorry,--Rita,--but I did not quarrel with Joe. He
quarrelled with me."

"It's all the same," she replied. "Takes two to do it. Couldn't you
find another way than that?"

Her eyes were bright and her bosom was disturbed.

"I thought, maybe, you and him might be friends; but I might have
known," she went on bitterly. "He only makes friends with the men who
lay down to him. You ain't that sort."

I threw ou