t know whether or not she had realized the shark's real
quest. Her next words enlightened him.

"If we follow the others, will the soldiers throw our dead bodies into
the sea?" she asked.

"I want you to believe that you will be absolutely safe if we escape
being discovered during the crossing of the narrow strip of water that
separates this rock from the island," he hastened to say. "That is
your only risk, and it is a light one. Senhor De Sylva is sure that
the troops will not keep the keenest lookout to-night. They are still
convinced that the insurgent steamer is sunk. Our chief danger will
date from to-morrow's dawn. Marcel reports that a systematic search of
the island was begun to-day. It will be continued to-morrow, but on
new lines, because, by that time, they will have learnt the truth. The
_Andros-y-Mela_ is not lying in pieces at the foot of this rock, the
President has not escaped, and every practicable inch of Fernando
Noronha and the adjacent islands will be scoured in the hope of finding
him. At first sight, that looks like being in our favor; in reality,
it means the end if we are discovered here. The soldiers will shoot
first and inquire afterwards. I have not the slightest doubt but that
plenty of evidence will be forthcoming that we were a set of
desperadoes who had unlawfully interfered in the affairs of a foreign
state."

She appeared to be weighing this argument, sitting in judgment on De
Sylva and his theories.

"I want to do that which is for the good of all," she said at length.
"Do you ask me to go to this convict's house, Mr. Hozier?"

"I urge it on you with the utmost conviction. With you off our hands,
we can act freely. We must deliver an attack to-night. God in Heaven,
you cannot think that we would expose you to the perils of a desperate
fight!"

His sudden outburst was unexpected, even by himself. He trembled in an
agony of passion. Iris placed a timid hand on his shoulder.

"I will go," she whispered. "Please do not be distressed on my
account. I will go. I brought you here, not to discuss my own fate,
but yours. These Brazilians will not scruple to make use of you, and
then throw you aside if it suits their purpose. That man, De Sylva,
does not care how he attains power, and I know that he and the officer
entertain some plan which they have not revealed to you."

"You . . . _know_."

"Yes. I understand a little of their language. I have a mere glimpse