p in the murk of the early
morning. He was stopped by several to receive congratulations upon his
escape, but he refused to be detained for long. He had business below, he
said, and the doctor was waiting. And so at last he came to a cabin at
the end of a long passage, at the door of which a kind-faced stewardess
met them and exchanged a few words with his guide.

"Can I go in?" said Saltash, growing impatient.

The woman looked at him with wonder and compassion in her eyes. "The poor
little thing is very upset," she said. "She lies and trembles, and has
hardly spoken at all except to ask for you."

"Well, let me in!" said Saltash, suddenly imperious. "I've got something
to tell her."

He had his way, for there was something about him that compelled just
then. He entered the cabin as a king might enter the apartment of a
slave, and he shut the door with decision upon those without.

Then for a second--just for a second--he hesitated. "Toby!" he said.

A meagre form sprang upright in the bunk at the sound of his voice. Two
bare, skinny arms reached out to him. Then with a single stride Saltash
was beside the bunk and was holding tightly to him a small, whimpering
creature that hid its face very deeply against his breast and clutched at
him piteously whenever he sought to raise it.

Saltash bent his dark head over the fair one and spoke very gently, yet
with authority. "It's all right, child. I know. I've known all along!
Don't fret yourself! There's no need. I've got you under my protection.
You're safe."

"You--know!" whispered the muffled voice--Toby's voice, but strangely
devoid of Toby's confidence. "What must you--think?"

"I!" Saltash laughed a little. "I never think. I give
everyone--always--the benefit of the doubt; which is considerably more
than anyone ever gives me."

"And--you saved my life!" gasped Toby "Why did you? Why did you?"

"I wanted it," said Saltash promptly. "Now listen a moment! We've done
with this show. It's played out. We'll ring up on another. You've got to
change your name again. I'm telling everyone you're Larpent's daughter."

That brought the fair head upwards very swiftly. The blue eyes with their
short black lashes looked straight up to his. "But--but--Captain
Larpent--"

"Oh, never mind Larpent! I'll square him." Saltash's look flashed over
the pale, tear-stained face. His hold, though close, no longer compelled.
"Leave it all to me! Don't you fret! I'll square Larpent.