only waited for the touch of the
Princess to wake it into life.

The American visitors were to sail for the mainland the next day, but he
had come to know them so well in the brief period of their visit that he
felt he dared speak to her that same night. At least he could give
her some word that would keep him in her mind until they met again in
London, or until she had considered her answer. He could not expect her
to answer at once. She could take much time. What else had he to do now
but to wait for her answer? It was now all that made life.

Collier and his wife had left the veranda and had crossed the lawn
towards the water's edge. The moonlight fell full upon them with all the
splendor of the tropics, and lit the night with a brilliant, dazzling
radiance. From where Miss Cameron sat on the veranda in the shadow, Sir
Charles could see only the white outline of her figure and the indolent
movement of her fan. Collier had left his wife and was returning slowly
towards the step. Sir Charles felt that if he meant to speak he must
speak now, and quickly. He rose and placed himself beside her in the
shadow, and the girl turned her head inquiringly and looked up at him.

But on the instant the hush of the night was broken by a sharp
challenge, and the sound of men's voices raised in anger; there was the
noise of a struggle on the gravel, and from the corner of the house the
two sentries came running, dragging between them a slight figure that
fought and wrestled to be free.

Sir Charles exclaimed with indignant impatience, and turning, strode
quickly to the head of the steps.

"What does this mean?" he demanded. "What are you doing with that man?
Why did you bring him here?"

As the soldiers straightened to attention, their prisoner ceased to
struggle, and stood with his head bent on his chest. His sombrero was
pulled down low across his forehead.

"He was crawling through the bushes, Sir Charles," the soldier panted,
"watching that gentleman, sir,"--he nodded over his shoulder towards
Collier. "I challenged, and he jumped to run, and we collared him. He
resisted, Sir Charles."

The mind of the Governor was concerned with other matters than
trespassers.

"Well, take him to the barracks, then," he said. "Report to me in the
morning. That will do."

The prisoner wheeled eagerly, without further show of resistance, and
the soldiers closed in on him on either side. But as the three men moved
away together, their