The at the Seashore Part 11 (1/2)

But suddenly, even while the talk was at its height, there was a diversion. Billy Trenwith, his clothes torn, his hands chafed and bleeding, appeared on the dock.

”Good Heavens, Billy, I'd forgotten all about you!” said Charlie. ”Where have you been?”

”How can you speak to him as a friend after the way he betrayed us?” asked Eleanor, indignantly, and Billy winced. But Charlie laughed happily.

”He didn't betray you,” said he. ”I cooked up this whole thing, just to catch Holmes red-handed, and he walked right into the trap. I told Billy not to tell you, because I wanted you to act so that Holmes wouldn't know it was a trick.”

”He didn't trust me, though,” said Billy, ruefully. ”As soon as he had the girls, he tied me up and chucked me into his cellar so that I couldn't change my mind, he said. That's why I didn't meet you at the fort.”

Eleanor, shamefaced and miserable, looked at him. Then, with tears in her eyes, she held out her hand to him.

”Can you ever forgive me?” she asked.

”You bet I can!” he shouted. ”Why, you were meant to think just what you did! There's nothing to forgive!”

”I ought to have known you couldn't do a mean, treacherous thing,” she said.

”All's well that ends well,” said Charlie, gaily. ”Now as to your brother, Mrs. Richards? I don't suppose you want him arrested?”

”No--oh, no!” said she, looking at Holmes contemptuously.