will cease to demand,' he answered,
his eyes the while burning like coals. 'You are an obstinate man, but
though you have put me to so much trouble and expense I will forgive you
and come to terms with you. Now listen to me. If you will give me----'

"At that moment the little vessel gave a heavy roll, and in trying to
keep my footing on the sloping deck I fell over upon the table. As I did
so the little Chinese stick slipped out of my pocket and went rolling
along directly into Nikola's hands. He sprang forward and seized it, and
you may imagine his delight. With a cry of triumph that made the cat
leap from his shoulder, he turned to a tall man by his side and said:

"'I've got it at last! Now let a boat's crew take this man ashore and
tie him to the stake in the cave. Then devise some means of acquainting
his friends of his whereabouts. Be quick, for we sail in an hour.'
Having given these orders he turned to me again and said:

"'Mr. Wetherell, this is the last transaction we shall probably ever
have together. All things considered, you are lucky in escaping so
easily. It would have saved you a good deal if you had complied with my
request at first. However, all's well that ends well, and I congratulate
you upon your charming daughter. Now, good-bye; in an hour I am off to
effect a _coup_ with this stick, the magnitude of which you would never
dream. One last word of advice: pause a second time, I entreat, before
you think of baulking Dr. Nikola.'

"I was going to reply, when I was twisted round and led up on deck,
where that scoundrel Baxter had the impudence to make me a low bow. In
less than a quarter of an hour I was fastened to the post in that cave.
The rest you know. Now let us get on board; I see the boat is
approaching."

As soon as the surf-boat had drawn up on the beach we embarked and were
pulled out to the yacht. In a few moments we were on deck, and Phyllis
was in her father's arms again. By mid-day the island had disappeared
under the sea line, and by nightfall we were well on our way back to
Sydney.

That evening, after dinner, Phyllis and I patrolled the deck together,
and finally came to a standstill aft. It was as beautiful an evening as
any man or woman could desire. All round us was the glassy sea, rising
and falling as if asleep, while overhead the tropic stars shone down
with their wonderful brilliance.

"Phyllis," I said, taking my darling's hand in mine and looking into her
face, "wh