iss Greta Hilmann's' anguish and despair were real
enough, believe me (that is why it deceived everybody so completely).
It is not, however, over the frightful position of young Beachman
that she sorrowed, but over the death of Ferrand. Had he lived, I
believe she has daring enough to have remained here and played her
part to the end, but she either lost her nerve and her mental
balance--which, by the way, is not in the least like her under any
circumstances whatsoever--or some other disaster of which we know
nothing overtook her and interfered with her carrying on the work
in conjunction with her brother."

"Her brother?"

"Yes. He would be sure to be about. They all three worked in concert.
Gad! if I'd only been here before the vixen slipped the leash--if I
only had! Let us have the elder Mr. Beachman in, if you please, Sir
Charles; there's a word or so I want to have with him. You've had
him summoned, of course!"

"Yes, he and the telegraph operator as well; I thought you might
wish to question both," replied he. "Grimsdick, go--or, no! I'll go
myself. Beachman ought to know of this appalling thing; and it is
best that it should be broken by a friend."

Speaking, he left the room, coming back a few minutes later in
company with the telegraph operator and the now almost hysterical
dock master. He waited not one second for introduction or permission
or anything else, that excited father, but rushed at Cleek and
caught him by the hand.

"It's my boy and you're clearing him--God bless you!" he exclaimed,
catching Cleek's hand and wringing it with all his strength. "It
isn't in him to sell his country; I'd have killed him with my own
hand years ago, if I thought it was. But it wasn't--it never was! My
boy! my boy! my splendid, loyal boy!"

"That's right, old chap, have it out. Here on my shoulder, if you
want to, daddy, and don't be ashamed of it!" said Cleek, and reached
round his arm over the man's shoulder and clapped him on the back.
"Let her go, and don't apologize because it's womanish. A man
without a strain of the woman in him somewhere isn't worth the
powder to blow him to perdition. We'll have him cleared, daddy--gad,
yes! And look here! When he is cleared you take him by the ear
and tell him to do his sweethearting in England, the young jackass,
and to let foreign beauties alone; they're not picking up with
young Englishmen of his position for nothing, especially if they
are reputed to have money of th