time the wind had risen to half a
gale and the moan on the outer bar could be heard in the intervals of
the pounding surf. The captain crept under the eaves of the roof and
listened. He wanted to be sure of Bart's voice before he acted.

At this instant a sudden gust of wind burst in the big door,
extinguishing the light of the lantern, and Bart's voice rang out:

"Stay where you are, boys! Don't touch the cards. I know the door, and
can fix it; it's only the bolt that's slipped."

As Bart passed out into the gloom the captain darted forward, seized
him with a grip of steel, dragged him clear of the door, and up the
sand-dunes out of hearing. Then he flung him loose and stood facing the
cowering boy.

"Now stand back and keep away from me, for I'm afraid I'll kill you!"

"What have I done?" cringed Bart, shielding his face with his elbow as
if to ward off a blow. The suddenness of the attack had stunned him.

"Don't ask me, you whelp, or I'll strangle you. Look at me! That's what
you been up to, is it?"

Bart straightened himself, and made some show of resistance. His breath
was coming back to him.

"I haven't done anything--and if I did--"

"You lie! Martha's back from Trenton and Lucy told her. You never
thought of me. You never thought of that sister of hers whose heart
you've broke, nor of the old woman who nursed her like a mother. You
thought of nobody but your stinkin' self. You're not a man! You're a
cur! a dog! Don't move! Keep away from me, I tell ye, or I may lose
hold of myself."

Bart was stretching out his hands now as if in supplication. He had
never seen his father like this--the sight frightened him.

"Father, will you listen--" he pleaded.

"I'll listen to nothin'--"

"Will you, please? It's not all my fault. She ought to have kept out of
my way--"

"Stop! Take that back! You'd blame HER, would ye--a child just out of
school, and as innocent as a baby? By God, you'll do right by her or
you'll never set foot inside my house again!"

Bart faced his father again.

"I want to tell you the whole story before you judge me. I want to--"

"You'll tell me nothin'! Will you act square with her?"

"I must tell you first. You wouldn't understand unless--"

"You won't? That's what you mean--you mean you WON'T! Damn ye!" The
captain raised his clenched fist, quivered for an instant as if
struggling against something beyond his control, dropped it slowly to
his side and whirling suddenly, str