he sort,' I said, 'but as a
matter of fact it is so.'

"He slapped his thigh.

"'Thought so. What do you think of this trick, governor?'

"Jones made some sort of sign to him, and then that extraordinary
cat-faced associate proposed that he and their servant should come out
and help me catch or kill the Chink.

"My object, I said, was not to get assistance. I did not intend to chase
the Chinaman. I had come only to warn them that he was armed, and that
he really objected to their presence on the island. I wanted them to
understand that I was not responsible for anything that might happen.

"'Do you mean to tell us,' asked Ricardo, 'that there is a crazy Chink
with a six-shooter broke loose on this island, and that you don't care?'

"Strangely enough they did not seem to believe my story. They were
exchanging significant looks all the time. Ricardo stole up close to
his principal; they had a confabulation together, and then something
happened which I did not expect. It's rather awkward, too.

"Since I would not have their assistance to get hold of the Chink
and recover my property, the least they could do was to send me their
servant. It was Jones who said that, and Ricardo backed up the idea.

"'Yes, yes--let our Pedro cook for all hands in your compound! He isn't
so bad as he looks. That's what we will do!'

"He bustled out of the room to the veranda, and let out an ear-splitting
whistle for their Pedro. Having heard the brute's answering howl,
Ricardo ran back into the room.

"'Yes, Mr. Heyst. This will do capitally, Mr. Heyst. You just direct
him to do whatever you are accustomed to have done for you in the way of
attendance. See?'

"Lena, I confess to you that I was taken completely by surprise. I had
not expected anything of the sort. I don't know what I expected. I am so
anxious about you that I can't keep away from these infernal scoundrels.
And only two months ago I would not have cared. I would have defied
their scoundrelism as much as I have scorned all the other intrusions of
life. But now I have you! You stole into my life, and--"

Heyst drew a deep breath. The girl gave him a quick, wide-eyed glance.

"Ah! That's what you are thinking of--that you have me!"

It was impossible to read the thoughts veiled by her steady grey eyes,
to penetrate the meaning of her silences, her words, and even her
embraces. He used to come out of her very arms with the feeling of a
baffled man.

"If I haven't y