nwood made Jack put off
speaking to Peet till the next day. He was to sleep at Moat House that
night, and in the morning the explanation with Peet would take place.

Aunt Betty was greatly touched by the story. Jack related the finding of
Estelle, her dangerous illness, and the opinion of the doctor with
regard to her memory, which had been fully justified. He made light of
the rescue in the cave, the truth and full details of which Estelle told
later on. Lady Coke listened with a heart full of thankfulness for the
mercies which had shielded her child. So it came to pass that Jack,
resolute in his idea of duty, found a very tender, sympathetic listener
to his own sad history.

'Your mother must be a good woman, Jack,' she said.

'She has been the saving of me,' he answered. 'Hers has been the purest,
the most unselfish love in the world.'

'Yes,' said Aunt Betty, with moist eyes; 'and because her love was
capable of so much, you have been led to look beyond, to that greater
Love which encircles us every day and hour. Your mother is a grand
woman, Jack!'

'Indeed, she is,' replied the sailor. 'It is amazing that such a man as
I should have been so blessed! It forces one to believe in the
forgiveness of sins, if those I have injured can so forgive and forget.'

It was getting late, and, as Lady Coke looked tired, Jack got up to go.
He was to meet Lord Lynwood next morning, and walk down with him to the
Bridge House about the time Peet returned for his breakfast.

As he left the room, Lady Coke said to her nephew, 'I like that sailor.
His has been a great repentance; as great as Dick's forgiveness has been
noble.'

Meantime Estelle, in her own room once more, was thinking how strange it
seemed to be in a house with windows and curtains, with Nurse and
Mademoiselle making much of her, and all her own pictures and treasures
about. She was very tired, however, and had scarcely time to murmur, 'I
shall see my cousins to-morrow,' before she fell asleep.

An hour or two later Lady Coke and Lord Lynwood were gazing, with
thankful hearts, at their sleeping child, while Jack was kneeling at the
window of his room, praying in deepest grief for pardon and for Dick.

(_Continued on page 370._)

[Illustration: "'We may be wanted,' exclaimed Lord Lynwood."]

[Illustration: "Estelle was among them!"]

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

(_Continued from page 367._)

CHAPTER XX.

True to his appointment, Jack met