twright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright
was rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand.
She thought he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to
lose.

"Whatever you want--" Lister declared, but she stopped him.

"I want you to do your best."

"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has hired me; I'm his man."

Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and will do all you engaged;
but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make an extra effort,
because--"

She paused and the blood came to her skin when she went on: "You see,
it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. It means
much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love him. I
feel I ought to help."

Lister saw her statement was significant, and her embarrassment
indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had admitted that she
knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but he
was not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and
dignified; he was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy
clothes. He loved her, but for a time he must be cautious. To begin
with, he would not have her think he made a claim.

"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. "When I took the job I
undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me off to float the wreck,
and if it's possible, I must make good."

"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color came and went. "One
thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the strain comes, one can
do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, sentiment, give one
extra force--" She stopped and resumed in a strangely gentle voice: "You
are young, and if you don't make good it won't hurt very much. Mr.
Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then he's not my step-father only.
He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his sake, I must be
frank--I trust you!"

Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, although he thought he used
control.

"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, we'll bring _Arcturus_
home. That's all. The thing's done with."

She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the dark grease stain.
Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked about. Ragged
clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell that
splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower beat
upon the engine skylights and Barbara moved b