ated. Then she answered simply. "Because I never felt as if
I knew you well enough. I have no proof. It's only a girl's idea, and
one I'm afraid you would have taken but little stock in."

"You're mistaken," Gregory replied. "I would have. And perhaps by now we
could have had the proof."

"No. We've done just right. If we had pretended we suspected anything
they would have gone to cover. There's only one way to get to the bottom
of this thing and that is to beat Mascola at his own game. Make him
think that fish are the only thing in the world we care for around
Diablo. And while we're fishing over here, keep our eyes open and learn
what we can."

Before Gregory could reply the silence of the night was broken by the
sharp exhaust of a high-speed motor. Looking in the direction of the
sound, he saw a flash of red pierce the darkness and heard the girl's
voice close to his ear.

"I guess we're due to find out something now. Here comes Mascola."

Together they watched the red light brighten. Then came a flash of green
as the oncoming launch swerved and sped toward them. In a few moments
Mascola had located the flag-ship and the _Fuor d'Italia_ lay snorting
angrily by the _Richard's_ side.

"I want to see the boss," demanded the Italian.

Gregory leaned over the rail and focused his flash-light on Mascola.

"What do you want?" he called.

Mascola blinked under the bright rays. Seated beside him was another man
who leaned closer into the shadow of the fishing-boat.

"I want you to move," Mascola said thickly. "My men were here first.
Plenty of fish at San Anselmo. Many as here. If you go to the other
island there will be no trouble."

"And if we stay?"

Mascola's passenger looked up quickly at Gregory's words, and the light
fell full upon his face.

It was Bandrist.

"I hope you will not decide to stay," he said slowly. "As I have told
you before, I'm not seeking trouble on this island. Mascola's men have
been drinking too much and are ugly. A supply-boat arrived to-day from
the mainland with too much liquor. I am having some difficulty with my
own men. I hope you will help us avoid trouble."

Gregory answered them at once.

"If there is any trouble, it will be of your making. The ocean is free
to all. We are interfering with no one's rights. We're here. The fish
are here. And here we're going to stay."

"I'll show you, you----"

Bandrist checked the Italian's angry outburst by placing a hand firmly
up