moiselle continuing to be hysterical at
intervals, Chris was exemplary in her behaviour. Perhaps even she had had
a surfeit of adventure for the time being. She certainly had no further
urgent desire to explore caves, magic or otherwise. She was also a little
tired, and inclined, after her excitement, to feel proportionately slack.
But early on the morning of the third day her strenuous nature reasserted
itself.

The sea and the sunshine awoke her together and she arose and dressed,
eager to revel in them both. She wondered if Bertrand were out in his
boat, and rather hoped she might encounter him.

Bertrand, however, was nowhere to be seen, and she proceeded to enjoy her
morning bathe in solitude. It was an enchanting day, and his absence did
not depress her. The tide was low, and she had to wade out a considerable
distance through the rippling waves; but she reached deep water at last
and proceeded forthwith to enjoy herself to her utmost capacity.

She spent a delicious half-hour thus, and it was with regret that she
finally returned to the shallows and began to wade back to the point
where Cinders, with her mackintosh, awaited her.

Just beyond this spot was a fair stretch of sand, and she was surprised
as she drew nearer to the shore to hear voices and to see a group of men
in the blue and red uniform of the garrison gathered upon what she had
come to regard as her own particular playground. She peered at them for
some seconds from beneath her hand, for the sun was in her eyes; and
suddenly a queer little thrill, that was not quite fear and not solely
excitement, ran through her. For all in a moment, ringing on the still
air of early morning, there came to her ears the clash of steel meeting
steel.

"Good gracious!" she said aloud. "It's a duel!"

A duel it undoubtedly was. She had a clear view of the whole scene,
distant but distinct, could even see the flash of the swords, the rapid
movements of the two combatants. It impressed her like a scene in a
theatre. She did not wholly grasp the reality of it, though her heart was
beating very fast.

Knee-deep, she stood in the sparkling water, outlined against the blue of
sky and sea, watching. Several seconds passed, during which they seemed
to be fighting with some ferocity. Then, obeying an impulse of which she
was scarcely aware, she moved on through the swishing waves, drawing
nearer at every step, hearing every instant more distinctly the ominous
clashing o