ut, "the fellow licked my boots."

"Yes, yes, yes," said Lingard, testily, "we know that, and you did your
best to cram your boot down his throat. No man likes that, my boy."

"I was always giving money to all that hungry lot," went on Willems,
passionately. "Always my hand in my pocket. They never had to ask
twice."

"Just so. Your generosity frightened them. They asked themselves
where all that came from, and concluded that it was safer to throw you
overboard. After all, Hudig is a much greater man than you, my friend,
and they have a claim on him also."

"What do you mean, Captain Lingard?"

"What do I mean?" repeated Lingard, slowly. "Why, you are not going to
make me believe you did not know your wife was Hudig's daughter. Come
now!"

Willems stopped suddenly and swayed about.

"Ah! I understand," he gasped. "I never heard . . . Lately I thought
there was . . . But no, I never guessed."

"Oh, you simpleton!" said Lingard, pityingly. "'Pon my word," he
muttered to himself, "I don't believe the fellow knew. Well! well!
Steady now. Pull yourself together. What's wrong there. She is a good
wife to you."

"Excellent wife," said Willems, in a dreary voice, looking far over the
black and scintillating water.

"Very well then," went on Lingard, with increasing friendliness.
"Nothing wrong there. But did you really think that Hudig was marrying
you off and giving you a house and I don't know what, out of love for
you?"

"I had served him well," answered Willems. "How well, you know
yourself--through thick and thin. No matter what work and what risk, I
was always there; always ready."

How well he saw the greatness of his work and the immensity of that
injustice which was his reward. She was that man's daughter!

In the light of this disclosure the facts of the last five years of his
life stood clearly revealed in their full meaning. He had spoken first
to Joanna at the gate of their dwelling as he went to his work in
the brilliant flush of the early morning, when women and flowers are
charming even to the dullest eyes. A most respectable family--two women
and a young man--were his next-door neighbours. Nobody ever came to
their little house but the priest, a native from the Spanish islands,
now and then. The young man Leonard he had met in town, and was
flattered by the little fellow's immense respect for the great Willems.
He let him bring chairs, call the waiters, chalk his cues when playing
billiards, e