on turned
sky blue; a delicate breeze from the southeast stirred the palmetto
fronds.

Presently a cardinal-bird began singing in the sunshine.

* * * * *

Haltren, standing in the wrecked wheel-house, raised his dazed eyes as
Darrow entered and looked around.

"So that was a white tornado! I've heard of them--but--good God!" He
turned a bloodless visage to Haltren, who, dripping, bareheaded and
silent, stood with eyes closed leaning heavily against the wheel.

"Are you hurt?"

Haltren shook his head. Darrow regarded him stupidly.

"How did you happen to be in this part of the world?"

Haltren opened his eyes. "Oh, I'm likely to be anywhere," he said,
vaguely, passing a shaking hand across his face. There was a moment's
silence; then he said:

"Darrow, is my wife aboard this boat?"

"Yes," said Darrow, under his breath. "Isn't that the limit?"

Through the silence the cardinal sang steadily.

"Isn't that the limit?" repeated Darrow. "We came on the yacht--that was
Brent's yacht, the _Dione_, you saw at sea. You know the people aboard.
Brent, Mrs. Castle, your wife, and I left the others and took the launch
to explore the lagoons.... And here we are. Isn't it funny?" he added,
with a nerveless laugh.

Haltren stood there slowly passing his hand over his face.

"It is funnier than you know, Darrow," he said. "Kathleen and I--this is
our wedding-day."

"Well, that _is_ the limit," muttered Darrow, as Haltren turned a
stunned face to the sunshine where the little cardinal sang with might
and main.

"Come below," he added. "You are going to speak to her, of course?"

"If she cared to have me--"

"Speak to her anyway. Haltren; I"--he hesitated--"I never knew why you
and Kathleen separated. I only knew what everybody knows. You and she
are four years older now; and if there's a ghost of a chance-- Do you
understand?"

Haltren nodded.

"Then we'll go below," began Darrow. But Major Brent appeared at that
moment, apoplectic eyes popping from his purple face as he waddled
forward to survey the dismantled launch.

Without noticing either Haltren or Darrow, he tested the slippery angle
of the deck, almost slid off into the lagoon, clutched the rail with
both pudgy hands, and glared at the water.

"I suppose," he said, peevishly, "that there are alligators in that
water. I know there are!"

He turned his inflamed eyes on Haltren, but made no sign of recognition.

"Major