later the _Tucopia_ sailed into Apia Harbour and dropped
anchor inside Matautu Point just as the evening mists were closing their
fleecy mantle around the verdant slopes of Vailima Mountain.

The two half-caste girls, with their maid and Mr. and Mrs. Lacy, came to
bid Otway and the captain a brief farewell, before they went ashore in
the pilot boat to D'Acosta's hotel in Matafele.

"Now remember, Otway, and you, Captain Robertson, and you, Captain Burr,
you are all to dine with us at the hotel the day after to-morrow. And
perhaps you, too, Father Roget will reconsider your decision and come
too." It was Lacy who spoke.

The gentle-voiced old Frenchman shook his head and smiled--"Ah no, it
was impossible," he said. The bishop would not like him to so soon leave
the Mission. But the bishop and his brothers at the Mission would look
forward to have the good captain, and Mr. Burr, and Mr. Otway, and the
ladies to accept his hospitality.

Mrs. Lacy's soft little gloved hand was in Otway's.

"I thank you, Mr. Otway, very, very sincerely for your many kindnesses
to me. You have indeed been most generous to us both. It was cruel of us
to take your cabin and compel you to sleep in the trade-room. But I
shall never forget how kind you have been."

All that was good in Otway came into his vicious heart and voiced softly
through his lips.

"I am only too glad, Mrs. Lacy.... I am indeed. I didn't like giving up
my cabin to strangers at first, and was a bit of a beast when Mr. Harry
told me we were taking two extra passengers. But I am glad now."

He turned away, and went below with burning cheeks. Before the storm he
had tried his best, late on several nights, to make Lacy drunk, and to
keep him drunk; but Lacy could stand as much or more grog than he could
himself; and when he heard that passionate, sobbing appeal, "Oh, Will,
Will, how could you?" his better nature was stirred, and his fierce
sensual desire for her changed into a sentimental affection and respect.
He knew her secret, and now, instead of wishing to take advantage of it,
felt he was too much of a man to abuse his knowledge.

* * * * *

Supper was over, and as the skipper, Burr, and Otway paced the
quarter-deck before going ashore to play a game or two of billiards and
meet some friends, a boat came alongside, and a man stepped on deck and
inquired for the captain. As he followed Robertson down the companion,
Otway saw that he