"Shall we walk on?" asked Devant. It was easier than to stand still. So
they slowly turned and went toward Bluff Head.

"I know,"--the even voice fell to a whisper,--"I have just found out
that--that Cap'n Billy is not my real father!"

Devant staggered under the blow. The terse directness, a part of the
girl's nature and training, was embarrassing to the man of the world.

"You are sure of that?" he asked, when he could control his voice.

"Yes."

"Do--do you know who your real father is?"

Janet looked fearlessly up into the haggard, eager face.

"Yes: I know."

"Who told you?"

"Cap'n Billy told me that he is not my father; he does not know who my
father is. My mother was very faithful to you, and to him! He told me
how she came to him--afterward! She did not want Cap'n Billy to save her
his way,--she thought it was not fair to him, but Cap'n Billy had but
one kind of love! He married her, and he took care of her! You don't
know how cruel these people can be to--to girls like my mother, but
Cap'n Billy knew, and he saved her!" The dark eyes were blazing.

"Be less hard, my child," groaned Devant, turning his face away; "God
knows, I have suffered!" Janet paid small heed to the words, or to the
man beside her.

"At the last," she went on bravely, "they were happy in a beautiful way
for a little while. Then she died! But I was left, and Cap'n Billy loved
me, and cared for me. He was father, mother, playmate, everything to
me!" The eyes softened, and the girl turned and faced her companion.
"And," she breathed hoarsely, "you and I must keep him from ever knowing
the rest!"

"The rest?" Devant asked slowly.

"Yes. About you. I am not doing this only because I love him better than
anything else on earth. I am doing it for my mother! It is all that she
and I can do for him. Will you promise?"

Devant leaned against a tree. Motion was no longer possible. Janet stood
in the path and waited. The brute instinct arose in the man's heart.
This was his child! In doing for her lay the only expiation possible
for him in the world. What were the claims of that man over on the dunes
compared to his, should he powerfully press them? What if Captain Billy
had given his life to the doing of a duty belonging to another? The
Tempter now took on a virtuous, unselfish guise. Think what the girl's
life might be! Could any true love, even such stupid love as Billy might
bear her, stand in the way? No; Billy would be the first