ng a wink from the taxi-man, did not waste time
in stating how far they might run, but devoted himself to the
encouragement of a cold engine and the business of getting under way.

Once more Spence was reduced to passive waiting. But the taste of the
salt and the smell of it brought back the picture of Desire as he had
seen her first--strong, self-confident. He had thought these qualities
ungirlish at the time; now he thanked God for the memory of them.

It had been dark enough when they left the wharf but soon a soft
brightness grew.

"Here she comes!" said his pilot with satisfaction. "Some moon, ain't
she?"

"Hurry!" There was an urge in the professor's voice which fitted in but
poorly with the magic of the night. The boat-man felt it and wondered.
He tried a little conversation.

"Know the old Doc. well?" he inquired. "Queer old duck, eh? And that Li
Ho is about the most Chinky Chinaman I ever seen. Come to think of it,
I never paid him back that gas I borrowed."

"Hasn't he been across lately?" asked Spence, controlling his voice.

"Haven't seen him. But then 'tisn't as if I was out looking for him.
Used to be a right pretty girl come over sometimes, the old Doc's
daughter. Hasn't been around for a long time. Maybe you're a relative
or some-thing?"

"See here," said Spence. "It's on account of the young lady that I am
going there tonight. I have reason to fear that she may be in danger."

"That so?" The boat-man's comfortably slouched shoulders squared. He
leaned over and did something to his engine. "In that case we'll take a
chance or two. Hold tight, we're bucking the tide-rip. Lucky we've got
the moon!"

Yes, they had the moon! With growing despair the professor watched her
white loveliness drag a slipping mantle over the dark water. The same
light must lie upon the clearing on the mountain ... where was Li Ho?
Was he awake--and watching? Had he warned the girl? Or was she
sleeping, weary with the journey, while only one frail old Chinaman
stood between her and a terror too grim to guess ...

A long interval ... the sailing moon ... the swish of parting water
as the launch cut through ...

"Must be thereabouts now," said the boat-man suddenly. "I'll slow her
down. Keep your eye skinned for the landing."

A period of endless waiting, while the launch crept cautiously along
the rocky shore--then a darker shadow in the shadows and the boat-man's
excited "Got it!" The launch slipped neatly in beside