Maine; and we're heading now for Charlesport; that's over yonder,
beyond that next point," Doctor Thayer answered. After a moment he
added: "I know nothing about your misfortunes, but I assume that you
capsized in some pesky boat or other. When you get good and ready, you
can tell me all about it. In the meantime, what is your name, young
woman?"

The doctor turned his searching blue eyes toward Agatha again, a
courteous but eager inquiry underneath his brusque manner.

"It is a strange story, Doctor Thayer," said Agatha somewhat
reluctantly; "but some time you shall hear it. I must tell it to
somebody, for I need help. My name is Agatha Redmond, and I am from
New York; and this gentleman is James Hambleton of Lynn--so he told me.
He risked his life to save mine, after we had abandoned the ship."

"I don't doubt it," said Doctor Thayer gruffly. "Some blind dash into
the future is the privilege of youth. That's why it's all recklessness
and foolishness."

Agatha looked at him keenly, struck by some subtle irony in his voice.
"I think it is what you yourself would have done, sir," she said.

The doctor thrust out his chin in his disconcerting way, and gave not
the least smile; but his small blue eyes twinkled.

"My business is to see just where I'm going and to know exactly what
I'm doing," was the dry answer. He turned a watchful look toward
James, lying still there between them; then he knelt down, putting an
ear over the patient's heart.

"All right!" he assured her as he came up. "But we never know how
those organs are going to act." Satisfying himself further in regard
to James, he waited some time before he addressed Agatha again. Then
he said, very deliberately: "The ocean is a savage enemy. My brother
Hercules used to quote that old Greek philosopher who said, 'Praise the
sea, but keep on land.' And sometimes I think he was right."

Agatha's tired mind had been trying to form some plan for their future
movements. She was uneasily aware that she would soon have to decide
to do something; and, of course, she ought to get back to New York as
soon as possible. But she could not leave James Hambleton, her friend
and rescuer, nor did she wish to. She was pondering the question as
the doctor spoke; then suddenly, at his words, a curtain of memory
snapped up. "My brother Hercules" and "Charlesport!"

She leaned forward, looking earnestly into the doctor's face. "Oh,
tell me," she cried impuls