as brought aboard, including a trained nurse for the
Englishwoman.

A few hours after daylight the woman had recovered sufficiently to
warrant her removal to a hospital on shore. No strong hopes were yet
entertained of keeping her alive for more than a day or two. Her husband
had stood the watery ordeal much better.

Captain Kennor, who, with Dave, was taken to the hospital later in the
day, had nearly recovered by the day following.

But for Dave Darrin there followed black hours. According to the doctors
a severe case of pneumonia was about the best that could be predicted for
him.

On the day after he was taken ashore Darrin opened his eyes with a light
of recognition in them. At the foot of the cot, in a chair, sat a
stalwart, youthful figure. Dan Dalzell, whose orders took him to sea
again that night, was waiting to the last for better news.

"Dan," Dave called, softly, and Dalzell was instantly bending over him.

"David, little giant, did you know that the 'Reed' had the good luck to
pick you up?" asked Dan, eagerly.

"I had a notion of it, but I was too dazed to know really," Darrin
answered.

"I've been here about all the time ever since," Dan went on. "I wanted to
know the news of you as soon as it could be had. But you're going to be
all right, now."

"Of course I am," agreed Dave, feebly.

Unseen by the man on the hospital cot, Dan signalled with one hand. Down
the ward came a doctor, followed by a young woman wearing the blue cape
ulster of the Red Cross. There was a quick, glad cry; soft lips touched
Dave's face.

"Belle!" gasped Dave, delightedly.

"I'm going to be allowed to sit by you quite a bit, dear, if you don't
try to talk to me," replied the steady voice of Belle Darrin. Summoned by
cable sent by Dan, Belle had journeyed swiftly from France.

"And now I'm off and back to my ship, Belle," said Dan. "But I know
you'll find a way to get a radio message through to me when Dave is
improved enough to warrant it. Good-bye, Darry, old chap!"

And Dan was off, not because he didn't want to stay, but because he knew
his chum would want to see the most of Belle. As for that young woman,
who held none too positive hopes of Darrin's recovery after what the
doctors had told her, she forced herself to be calm and smiling and sat
close by, her hand on Dave's forehead when he dropped off into a
feverish, troubled sleep.

The next day Belle chatted with her husband a little, in a cool, steady
voi