d Carew to Ichi. To the
silent Moto he added: "All right, Moto, we are ready for you. Stand
by!"

CHAPTER XVII

TWO MEN AND A MAID

Ichi rapped softly on the door of Captain Dabney's room. The door
opened a space, and a clear, fearless voice demanded--

"Well, what do you wish?"

The happy thrill Martin felt at the sound of that undaunted voice was
nowise dampened by the knowledge that Moto, the torturer, stood behind
his chair, with fingers ready to Carew's bidding. Martin, for the
instant, had but eyes and ears of love.

"My dear miss, we would consider it a favor of much greatness if you
would but spare us a few moments of your honored time," said Ichi,
bowing profoundly to the crack in the door. "If you will but grant us
the delightfulness of your presence for a very short time--then you may
return to carefulness of the honorable Dabney."

Ruth stepped out of the berth and softly closed the door behind her.
Then she faced about and saw Martin sitting stiffly on the edge of his
chair, with his arms behind his back.

"Oh, Martin!" she cried.

Martin caught his breath as he returned her look, while a sudden surge
of feeling clogged his throat and stabbed his heart with a thrust half
pain, half pleasure. She was beautiful! She was glorious!

She stood there, swaying easily to the gentle motion of the riding
ship, her wide-open eyes full upon his with a look that held a world of
anxious love. Her face appeared like a bright, rare flower, in
contrast with her blue blouse and skirt, and the dark wood-paneling
behind her. The night had placed its mark upon her features--there
were dark circles beneath her eyes, and a droop at the corners of the
sweet mouth. But courageous self-reliance was still her bearing; and
the haggard hints of suffering on her face but enhanced its loveliness.

She was glorious, superb! Martin, his own love in his kindling gaze,
recalled of a sudden how she had looked that night when he had stolen
the kiss. A glancing moonbeam had that time lighted her beauty. So,
too, this time a light ray brightened her--a sunbeam darting through
the open skylight set her in a golden frame.

A sharp, sobbing intake of breath came from the head of the table where
Carew sat. Ruth directed her gaze from Martin to the outlaw, and her
mouth became grim, and her eyes, but now so soft with love, became hard
and alert.

Martin, too, looked at Wild Bob. And the sight of the man's face
br