the girl
did not drown herself. It would be a most unlikely thing for Miss
Randall to do. She is not that kind."

"H'm, that's no reason," the captain retorted. "Ye never know these
days what notions gals'll take."

"I believe you are right," and the young man smiled. "They do take
queer notions at times, as was proven by the list of articles you tried
to buy in the store just a few minutes ago."

"Hey, what's that yer sayin'?" the captain demanded, swinging swiftly
around. "What d'ye mean by them words?"

"Don't you know, sir? I think you understand my meaning. Look well
after Miss Randall, and tell her to keep out of sight. So long. I
hope to see you later."

The young man sprang into his car, and in another minute was speeding
up the road, leaving the captain staring after him, dumb with
astonishment.

CHAPTER VI

EBEN MAKES A DISCOVERY

After Eben had eaten his breakfast he sat for a few minutes watching
his father as he rowed ashore. He next turned his eyes upon the boats
searching for the missing girl. He even smiled, a somewhat unusual
thing for him, especially at such an early morning hour. He was
sitting upon deck, leaning against the mast full in the glare of the
slowly-strengthening sun. Presently his left hand was run through his
mass of tousled hair, while his right came down with a resounding whack
upon his knee. Something out of the ordinary was amusing this tall
ungainly youth which would have surprised his father had he been
present.

At length he rose slowly to his feet, yawned, stretched himself, and
moved cautiously along the deck toward the cabin. He walked around it
once without deigning to look at the open door. The second time he
shot a swift furtive glance, and caught a fleeting glimpse of someone
in the cabin. His heart gave a great leap and he was about to hurry on
his way, when a merry laugh arrested his steps, causing him to turn and
peer down into the cabin. Then his cheeks crimsoned as he saw the girl
standing at the foot of the steps, her face wreathed with a sunny smile.

"Don't be afraid; I won't hurt you," she told him. "I'm as harmless as
a kitten."

Instantly Eben's mouth expanded into a grin, and he looked sheepishly
around. He knew that he was on forbidden ground, and this added to his
embarrassment. At the same time it gave him a certain degree of
pleasure, as forbidden sweets are always the most delectable.

"Come on down," the girl in