sweat standing on the brow of
each, so that he wondered at what were behind.

Philip turned with a brightened eye.

'Now, sir, you may see that our chances are not so desperate, since, from
storm or chase, we can put to safe haven beyond the reefs, to wait or
dodge; or at worst, to get ashore and take to the hills--a put back, but
to you a good exchange for four walls. Only I have a thing to ask of you,
sir, come good or ill: that you will never breathe to a soul of this way
of escape.'

The Adventurer eyed him with something of distrust still, while he
fingered his beard thoughtfully and smiled, half sneering.

'I understand--you would preserve a monopoly, and continue a good trade.
But it looks to me that you have done some cheating by your mate, that
might make him decline partnership and seek his own market.'

'By heavens! you are over ready with your imputations!' said Philip,
angry. 'The Alien there is welcome to make what profit he can for me.
Never with my goodwill shall I be here again. For why I undertook it, I
had my own good reasons, which concern you not at all. But I will tell
you that I know not of another man who would dare partnership with the
Alien--ay, ask him, and he will not deny it; or who would put body and
soul in jeopardy in this place.'

The Adventurer turned to Christian, smiling, courting friendly
intelligence.

'You, it appears, have put body and soul in jeopardy, and know the place;
and body and soul are none the worse.'

Without any answer, Christian looked at him, and colour ebbed from his
face. Philip touched for warning, and with lifted finger indicated the
want, half guessed already by that fixed, blank gaze.

'Answer only at your pleasure, but for my soul's salvation I do desire to
know what threats it here.'

For the moment Philip did not suspect derision. Discreetly he told of the
fatal tradition, that the settled conviction of generations had brought
men fatally to uphold and abet. So much of reason he had discovered for
himself, and he desired that Christian should hear.

The work was taken out of his hands by a skilled master. The reverend
superstition was subjected to all the disintegrating forces that human
scepticism can range; and with cold reason, logic, and analogy, went such
charm of courteous tolerance, and wit, and wise and simple exposition, as
tempered the mordant touch of lurking ridicule. He was but for pastime,
trying his practised touch upon two young