is so dark," she retorted impatiently, "or you would
know that a revolver is pointed straight at you this very moment."

Kendrick laughed in pure enjoyment of the situation.

"My dear young lady,"--he had decided that she was young and he
wondered if she were pretty--"you force me to the conclusion that
either you are bluffing outrageously or you are a desperate character!
Please don't be frightened. I'm neither Steve Brodie, the Bridge
Jumper, nor the famous Jack Dalton, and in this age of safety razors
Bluebeards are _extra muros_. This isn't the opening spasm of some
blood-and-thunder novel, you know. We're right here on Toronto Bay
where one can get into trouble for not showing a light after dark.
Will you oblige me by unhooking the lamp at the bow there and passing
it back to me so that I can light up. I promise then to start earning
that dollar without further delay."

He heard her fumbling with it. There was a splash in the water, a
little cry of well feigned dismay.

"Oh, how careless of me! It--slipped out of my hand."

Phil grinned cheerfully as he began to dip his paddle, interest
quickened. It was a neat sidestepping of his inconsiderate attempt to
scrutinize her. She had taken the first trick.

"You do yourself an injustice, madam. Are you usually so careful when
you are careless?"

"You have not told me your name yet," she reminded him, apparently more
at ease now that she knew he intended to paddle her across the bay.

"My name? It's an Indian name--Watha--Hy. A. Watha, at your service,
and I am very fond of canoeing. What's yours?"

"You need hardly ask that, Mr. Hiawatha, when you knew my sister,
Minnie, so well," she laughed. "I am _Mary_ Ha-ha!"

"You don't say!" chuckled Kendrick in appreciation. "The original
little Merry Ha-Ha, eh?--Little Laughing-Gas!"

"If you are Hiawatha, why are you using a paddle?" she pursued. "I
always understood from the Poet that all you had to do was to guide
your canoe with your thoughts."

"Not when they're travelling in a circle. But this looks more like
'Blind Man's Buff' than 'Ring-Around-A-Rosy,' don't you think? Or are
you trying to play 'Tag' with me? Well, you're 'It' anyway," he said,
dropping all hint of banter in his tone. "I'd advise you to meet a few
straight questions with straight answers. First, who is this Joe
person you were expecting to do the canoeing for you?"

"My husband."

"And the people in the launch?"

"