going to
loan you one of my long coats to cover those togs."

Tom responded gratefully, and said: "If I can only do as much for you
boys some time!"

"Say," laughed the soldier, "don't wish such an experience on any of us!"

Then both laughed. As they reached the house where Polly had spent the
night, the doctor opened the door and smiled. When he saw that Tom was
feeling as good as ever, he said: "I just hung up the 'phone. A gentleman
called 'Dalken' told me that they were all coming over to take you away.
But I warned him that the entire party would be arrested if they landed
on Government Ground without a permit.

"Then I remembered that he might secure a permit, so I said: 'Anyway,
before you people can get here, my patients will be on their way to the
Battery.' I said that, because the young lady ought to be kept perfectly
quiet all morning, after such a fearful experience, you know."

"Yes, I know," admitted Tom. "And I am glad you said what you did."

"Now we had her dress dried and pressed, and the little miss will be up
and ready to thank you for your courageous deed, in an hour or so,"
explained the doctor, significantly.

"Thank you, ever so much!" said Tom, grasping his hand.

"Let Ted, here, show you about the place and entertain you until it's
time to call again," suggested the doctor.

So Tom went away with his companion, not to explore the Island, but to go
to the telephone and have a long talk with his friends in the city, who
were anxious to hear about the accident.

Just before noon, an orderly came to Tom to say that Mrs. Hall said, "Mr.
Latimer could call, if he liked." Tom laughed at the message--"if he
liked."

As he entered the little sitting-room of the doctor's house, Tom tiptoed
as if he felt he had to tread softly. But Polly sat in an arm-chair by
the window and saw him coming. She jumped up and ran to the door to greet
him, and Mrs. Hall went out of the room by the kitchen-door.

Tom was unable to speak a word when he finally came into Polly's
presence. She caught hold of his hands and shook them gladly, as she
cried: "Oh, Tom! What do I not owe you after last night!"

Tom wanted to demand payment, but he knew that would ruin his chances
forever, so he held a tight leash on his feelings and smiled wanly. Then
he said in an unnatural tone: "Lucky for us both that I knew how to swim,
eh, Polly?"

Polly was relieved to hear him speak in such a way, but her next act was
the ou