an seems to think so at any rate. But she is
not--and never will be--an adventuress."

"Is Bunny Brian fond of her--really fond of her?" asked Sheila.

Saltash nodded. "Sure thing--as Jake would say! And he's a sound chap
too. I hope he'll get her."

"She is not very likely to refuse," said Sheila, turning from the rail.

The little boat had passed out of sight under the lee of the yacht. A
great rocket whistled skywards, and broke in a violet flare that lighted
sea and shore. The _fete_ was over, and people were crowding on board.
The band was playing a selection from a comic opera, and a few voices
were singing the careless, sentimental words.

Saltash turned with his companion. "And now we are going to supper at The
Anchor. I must get Mrs. Bolton to lead the way. Poor Jake is bored to the
soul, but he's facing it like a man. Fine fellow--Jake."

"Oh, is he a friend of yours?" Sheila asked. "A very particular friend, I
mean?"

Saltash grimaced to the stars. "No, I don't think so. Ask Jake! He knows
me better than some, that's all. And I know him."

They left the yacht's rail and joined the on-coming throng. It was like
a scene out of a fairy tale--the gaudy Chinese lanterns bobbing to and
fro, the gaily-coloured crowd, the shining white yacht rocking gently on
the noiseless swell. Everyone was laughing. Some were singing. There was
not a serious face to be seen in all the crowd that poured over the
red-carpeted gangway from the quay.

"Where is Toby?" said Maud.

She was standing with Jake in the many-hued glow of the lanterns, and she
asked the question with a momentary anxiety, for she had looked in vain
for Toby for some time.

"She's with Bunny. She's safe enough," said Jake.

"But they haven't come on board yet, and they've been gone so long," Maud
said. "It's curious how little Captain Larpent seems to interest himself
in her doings."

"Mighty curious," agreed Jake.

For Larpent had kept to the bridge morosely, almost throughout the
evening. He was standing there now, looking down upon the shifting,
chattering crowd. He had no idea how long it would be before Saltash
tired of the game and gave orders to set sail. He waited in dumb
endurance--as he would wait from day to day until the longed-for moment
arrived. It had happened often before, Saltash's caprice had sometimes
driven him to the verge of rebellion, but no one--not even Saltash
himself--ever suspected it. Silent, phlegmatic, inexpressiv