surance," said my grandfather when we spoke of it.

"I found it hard to believe. But Uncle George had no doubts about it. Krok,
too, recognised him."

"Krok did? Ah--then--" and he nodded slow acceptance of the unwelcome fact.

Before I was through with the telling of my story, and signing it, and
swearing to it before various authorities, I was heartily sick of the whole
matter, and wished, as indeed I had good reason, that I had never sailed
with John Ozanne in the _Swallow_.

But--"pas de rue sans but"--and at last all that unpleasing business was
over--except a little after-clap of which you will hear presently.

After many delays and formalities, all the prisoners were condemned to
death, and I was free to go home and be my own man again.

Twice while in Guernsey I had taken advantage of the slow course of the law
to run across to Jersey and so to the Ecrehous, and found Torode settled
down in dumb bitterness to the narrow life that was left to him.

He was quite recovered in every way save that of speech, but that great
loss broke his power and cut him off from his kind.

I had never told him that his wound came from my hand, but he associated me
with it in some way, and showed so strong a distaste for my company that I
thought well to go no more.

He had taken a dislike to old Krok too. Their common loss had in it the
elements of mockery, and on my second visit Krok expressed a desire to
return to Sercq. Torode could maintain himself by fishing, as they had done
together, and could barter his surplus at Rozel or Gorey for anything he
required.

And so we left him to his solitude, and he seemed content to have us go.
George Hamon, however, ran across now and again in his lugger to see how he
was getting on, and to make sure that he was still there, and perhaps with
the hope that sooner or later that which was in himself still, as strong as
it had been any time this twenty years, might find its reward.

CHAPTER XXXIX

HOW I CAME INTO RICH TREASURE

"Carette, ma mie," I asked, as we sat in the heather on Longue Pointe, the
evening after I got home, "when shall we marry?"

"When you will, Phil. I am ready."

"As soon as may be then," and I drew her close into my arms, the richest
treasure any man might have, and thanked God for his mercies.

It was a glorious evening, with a moon like a silver sickle floating over
Guernsey. The sky was of a rare depth and purity, which changed from palest
bl