tter show interest in him.
Goodness knows he's handsome enough."

"Better than that, he can act," said Ruth thoughtfully. "Not many of
these handsome screen heroes can do that. But perhaps if Wonota did not
disdain him so much (and she does, secretly) she could play up to him
better."

"Is there much more for her to do?" Helen asked, with renewed interest.

"Several scenes--and some of them most important. Mr. Hooley can not give
all his time to her. I am trying to coach her in them. But there is so
much going on here at the island----"

"Why not take her away to some other place and just pound it into her?"

"Not to the Kingdom of Pipes!" laughed Ruth suddenly.

"No. Let the old pirate have that place to his heart's content. But there
are other islands."

"True enough. Fourteen hundred of them."

"Come on!" exclaimed the energetic Helen. "Let's get Willie and the _Gem_
and go somewhere with Wonota. You've all day to hammer at her. Get your
continuity and try to get it into Wonota's head that she is deeply and
desperately in love with Grand."

In spite of Helen's brusk way of speaking, Ruth decided that her idea
might be well worth following. Helen took some knitting and a
parasol--and a hamper. Ruth gathered her necessary books and script; and
likewise got Wonota. Then they boarded the launch and Willie took them up
the river to a tiny islet not far from the Kingdom of Pipes, after all.

"I don't see anybody moving over there," Helen remarked, as Willie landed
them at the islet selected. She was looking at the island on which Ruth
had had her adventure with the King of the Pipes. "It looks deserted
enough. We might have gone there just as well as not."

"I feel as well satisfied to keep away from that queer old fellow," her
chum said.

"Who's that?" asked Willie, the boatman, overhearing their remarks.

Ruth told him about the strange man, and Willie laughed.

"Oh! That old jigger? Was he the fellow the boss wanted we should shoo
off that island? Why didn't he say so? Old Charley-Horse Pond. We all
know him about here."

"Oh!" cried Helen. "Is he crazy?"

"Not enough to make any difference. Just got a twist in his brain. Calls
himself a king, does he? Mebbe he will be a duke or an emperor next time.
Or a doctor. Can't tell. He gets fancies."

"And of course he is not dangerous?" said Ruth.

"Just about as dangerous as a fly," drawled Willie. "And not so much. For
flies bite--sometimes, and old Cha