rth. "What you
said out yonder was all a lie to--to get me to come with you!"

"Well, what of it?" insinuatingly. "All is fair in love and war, I
have heard, and this is either the one or the other. Why should n't it
be me, my dear, as well as the other?"

"What do you mean? Do you connect me with Gordon Craig?"

"Of course," and he laughed. "Why shouldn't I, please? You came with
him from the North, did you not--traveling as his wife? Picked the
fellow up on the street, did n't you? My dear, this assumption of
outraged virtue is all thrown away on me--I happen to know your
history."

She took a deep breath, standing straight before him, her cheeks
burning.

"Perhaps you think you do," she said, now in full control of herself.
"But you are going to learn your mistake. I am here under unpleasant
circumstances, yet, I am not subject to your insult. I refuse to
answer you, or remain in your presence," she stepped aside, leaving
free passage. "You will unlock that door."

"Hardly that," and I could see his fingers shut down on the top of the
desk. "It takes more than a few words to change me. Really, I like
you better than I did. You are decidedly pretty now you are angry.
Besides, what have I to be afraid of? There is no one but us in this
part of the ship; I fixed that up before I went after you; even your
friend Craig is mooning around somewhere on deck, dreaming about a
fortune. If you cry out, no one will hear you, and if they did, God
pity the man who attempted to come in here. I 'm Captain of the _Sea
Gull_, and there 's not a rapscallion on board who would risk his skull
to help you. Even Craig would n't; Lord, he even told me himself you
were nothing to him."

"He--he told you that!"

"He certainly did, in this room. Come, now, what is the use of being
such a cat? I 'm not a bad fellow if I am treated half-way decent. I
've got money to spend, and know how to spend it." He took a step
forward, but she never moved.

"Don't touch me," she said in a tone that stopped him. "I am a woman,
but I can defend myself."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE TABLES TURNED

There was that about her attitude, and the expression of her face, which
restrained the fellow. No doubt he suspected for a moment that she might
be armed, for his quick glance swept her from head to foot. Then his
eyes hardened.

"That is the worst thing you can do--threaten me," he said sharply. "I
never take that from man