g over her in the dim light of the kennel, one arm
around her shoulders, waiting. And presently she lifted her head,
looked him quietly in the eyes, bent forward very gently, and kissed
him.

* * * * *

Dulcie was not in the house, nor was Thessalie.

Barres and Westmore exchanged conversation between their open doors
while bathing and dressing.

"You know, Garry," admitted the latter, "I feel all shaken up, yet,
over that ghastly business."

"So do I.... If they hadn't died so gamely.... But Skeel was a
_man_!"

"You bet he was, crazy or sane!... What a pity!... And that poor
devil, Soane! Did you hear them cheering there, at the last? And what
superb nerve--breaking out that green flag!"

"And think of their opening on that big patrol boat! They hadn't a
chance."

"They had no chance anyway," said Westmore. "It meant execution if
they surrendered--at least, they probably thought so. But how do you
suppose that cowardly strangler, Ferez, felt when he realised that
Skeel was going to fight?"

"He certainly got what was coming to him, didn't he?" said Barres
grimly. "You'll tell Thessa, won't you?"

"As soon as I can find her," nodded Westmore, giving his fresh bow-tie
a most killing twist.

He was ready before Barres was, and he lost no time in starting out to
find Thessalie.

Barres, following him later, discovered him on the library lounge with
Thessalie's fair cheek resting against his.

"I'm s-sorry!" he stammered, backing out, and very conscious of
Westmore's unconcealed annoyance. But Thessalie called to him in a
perfectly calm voice, and he ventured to come back.

"Are you going to tell Dulcie about this horrible affair?" she asked.

"Not immediately.... Are you feeling all right, Thessa?"

"Yes. I had a horrid night. Isn't it odd how a girl can so completely
lose her nerve after a thing is all over?"

"That's the best time to lose it," said Westmore. And to Barres:
"She's bruised from head to foot and her neck hurts yet----"

"It is nothing," murmured Thessalie, looking smilingly at her lover.
Then they both glanced at Barres.

There was a silence. Side by side on the library lounge they continued
to gaze expectantly at Barres. And when he got it into his head that
this polite expectancy might express their desire for his early
departure, he backed out again, embarrassed and slightly irritated.

Thessalie called to him very sweetly:

"If you are looking