d more and more to the beauty of the scene. The
Bay of Charlesport, the rugged, curving outline of the coast beyond,
the green islands, the glistening sea, the blue crystalline sky over
all--it was a sight to remember.

Not far from the land, at the near end of the harbor, was the _Sea
Gull_, pulling at her mooring. A stone's throw beyond Chamberlain's
feet, a small rocky tongue of land was prolonged by a stone breakwater,
which sheltered the curved beach of the village from the rougher waves.
Close up under the bluff on which he was standing, the waters of the
bay churned and foamed against a steep rock-wall that shot downward to
unknown depths. It was obviously a dangerous place, though the road
was unguarded by fence or railing. Only a delicate fringe of goldenrod
and low juniper bushes veiled the treacherous cliff edge. It was
almost impossible for a traveler, unused to the region, to pass across
the dizzy stretch of highway without a shuddering glance at the
murderous waves below.

On the crest of this cliff, each of the two men paused, one following
the other at a little distance. The first man, however, paused merely
for a few minutes' rest after the steep climb. Chamberlain, hardened
to physical exertions, took the hill easily, but stood for a moment
lost in speculative wonder at the scene. He kept a sharp eye on his
leader, however; and presently the two men took up their Indian file
again toward the village.

Some distance farther on, the road forked, one spur leading up over the
steep rugged hill, another dropping abruptly to the main village street
and the wharves. A third branch ran low athwart the hill and led,
finally, to the summer hotel where Chamberlain and the Reyniers had
been staying. At this division of the road Chamberlain saw the other
man ahead of him sitting on a stone. He approached him leisurely and
assumed an air of business sagacity.

"Good day, sir," said Chamberlain, planting himself solidly before the
man on the stone. He was rather large, blond, pale and unkempt in
appearance; but nevertheless he carried an air of insolent mockery, it
seemed to Chamberlain. He glanced disgustedly at the Englishman, but
did not reply.

"Rather warm day," remarked Chamberlain pleasantly. No answer. The
man sat with his head propped on his hands, unmistakably in a bad
temper.

"Want to buy some land?" inquired Chamberlain. "I'm selling off lots
on this hill for summer cottages. Wat