Part 20 (2/2)

'I find it very difficult to tell people things,' said Davies, 'things like this' I waited 'I did like her--very much' Our eyes met for a second, in which all was said that need be said, as between two of our phlegmatic race 'And she's--separate from him That was the reason of all my indecisions' he hurried on 'I only told you half at Schlei I know I ought to have been open, and asked your advice But I let it slide I've been hoping all along that weto close quarters again'

I no longer wondered at his devotion to the channel theory, since, built on conviction, it was thus doubly fortified

'Yet you always knehatwith” Dollht of hiet the other part'

'Which recurred at Brunsbuttel?' I thought of the nee had there

'Yes'

'Davies, weto speak out Are you sure you've notto assume it--that Doll the murder part!' said Davies, impatiently 'What does _that_ ood; but in that case I suspect his daughter

No! let ed you--you've told e with them'

'Stop, Carruthers,' said Davies, firmly 'I know you ht for ato propose When we get out of this place let's sail straight away to England' '(There, Colected your advice')

'No!' exclaied if ill Think what's at stake Think of that traitor--plotting with Gerood,' I said 'I' on But let's face facts We _ _her_'

'Can't we _possibly_?'

'Of course not; be sensible, man Face that Next point; it's absurd to hope that we need not revisit them--it's ten to one that we must, if we're to succeed His attempt on you is the whole foundation of our suspicions And we don't even know for certain who he _is_ yet

We're coht to Norderney now; but even if eren't, should we do any good by exploring and prying? It's very doubtful We knoe're watched, if not suspected, and that disposes of nine-tenths of our power The channels? Yes, but is it likely they'll let us learn them by heart, if they're of such vital iht to be _bona fide_ yachtsmen? And, seriously, apart from their value in hich I don't deny, are they at the root of this business? But we'll talk about that in a moment The point now is, what shall we do if we meet the Dollmanns?'

Beads of sweat stood on Davies's brow I felt like a torturer, but it could not be helped 'Tax hi wrecked you? Our quest would be at an end! We must be friendly Youit If he does, so much the better; if he doesn't, he won't dare say so, and we still have chances We gain time, and have a treave another turn to the screw 'Friendly with them _both,_ of course You were before, you know; you liked her very much--you ic'

'Shall we chuck it and go to England?' I asked again, as an inquisitor h?' No answer I went on: 'To make it easier, you _do_ like her still' I had roused my victim at last

'What the devil do youfor her--on her innocence, to--good God! what _do_ you mean?'

'No, no, not that I'norant of you If she knows nothing of her father's character and likes you--and you like her--and you are what you are--oh Heavens! man, face it, realize it! But what I ine his position if we're right about hiraceful past to have been driven to this--in the pay of Ger to add: 'And if you're on your guard, to increase our chances' But the utter futility of such suggestions silencedplan and a fair one, too, as against such adversaries; turning this baffling cross-current to advantage as many a time we had worked eddies of an adverse tide in these difficult seas But Davies was Davies, and there was an end of it; his faith and simplicity shamed me And the pity of it, the cruelty of it, was that his very qualities were his last torture, raising to the acutest pitch the conflict between love and patriotism Remember that the latter was his dominant life-auge the bitterness of that conflict

It was in its last throes now His elboere on the table, and his twitching hands pressed on his forehead He took theo on It can't be helped, that's all'

'And you believe in her?'

'I'll remember what you've said There may be some way out And--I'd rather not talk about that any more What about the wreck?'