owne. Then, taking an
envelope from his pocket, he handed it to MacAndrew. "If you can find
an opportunity of delivering it, will you contrive to let them have
this? There is something inside that will keep the wolf from the door,
for a time at least."

MacAndrew looked at him a little curiously. He was about to say
something, but he checked himself, and, stowing the envelope away in
his pocket, held out his hand.

"You were not inclined to trust me when first we met; but I hope you
are satisfied now that I have done my best for you."

"I am more than satisfied," replied Browne. "I am very grateful. I
wish you would let me do something to help you in return."

"You _have_ helped me," MacAndrew answered. "You have helped me
amazingly; more perhaps than you think. Now, good-bye, and may good
luck and every happiness go with you."

"Good-bye," said Browne; and then the tall, graceful figure passed
along the deck in the direction of the main companion-ladder. A few
moments later the sound of oars reached his ears; and when they could
no longer be heard Browne went in search of Katherine and Jimmy Foote.

"Well, old man," asked the latter when the screw had begun to revolve
once more, "what now? What is the next thing?"

"The next thing," Browne replied, seating himself beside Katherine as
he spoke, and taking her hand, "is Yokohama, and a wedding, at which
you shall assist in the capacity of best man."

That night the lovers stood on deck, leaning against the bulwarks
watching the moon rise from behind a bank of cloud.

"Of what are you thinking, sweetheart?" Browne inquired, looking at the
sweet face beside him. "I wonder if I could guess."

"I very much doubt it," she answered, with a sad little smile. "You
had better try."

"You were thinking of a tiny land-locked harbour, surrounded by
snow-capped mountains, were you not?"

"Yes," she replied; "I certainly was. I was thinking of our first
meeting in Merok. Oh, Jack! Jack! how much has happened since then!"

"Yes," he continued slowly. "A great deal has happened; but at least
there are two things for which we should be thankful."

"And what are they?"

"The first is that we are together, and the second is that you are not
THE RED RAT'S DAUGHTER!"

THE END.

Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Rat's Daughter, by Guy Boothby