a lot since then."

Jake grunted. "Which way, think you? Well, I must dress. He may be here
before we're ready for him."

He turned to go back to his own room, but Maud stayed him for a moment.
"Jake," she said almost wistfully, "you know--with all his faults--he
always had--possibilities."

"I know," Jake said, looking down at her. "He's made the most of 'em
too."

Her face quivered. "Don't," she said. "It--isn't it rather ungenerous to
condemn a man unheard?"

Jake made a faint sound of contempt or scepticism, but no reply in words.

She drew herself up out of her chair by his arm. "Jake, I want you to do
something for me."

"Well?" said Jake uncompromisingly.

She met his look unswervingly. "Let me be a friend to him tonight! Let me
be alone with him and find out--if he will tell me--whether there is any
truth in this rumour that there was a woman on board the yacht."

"And when you've found out?" said Jake.

She made a little gesture of appeal. "Will you leave that to me? I have
sometimes felt that I might be--a help to him if ever there came an
opportunity. Jake, you don't mind my trying to help him? I have a feeling
that I understand him better than most people do."

"I think it's a wasted sentiment," Jake said. "But--do what seems good to
you, my girl! I shan't interfere."

"And you won't be vexed?" she pleaded.

He smiled his sudden, illumining smile. "No, I reckon you'll never vex me
any that way again," he said.

She went close to him. "Indeed--no, Jake! But--don't you understand? I
hate to go against your wishes--your prejudices--in anything."

He put out a hand to her. "You needn't be afraid of that either," he
said. "If you do it--it's right."

She clasped the strong hand tightly in both her own. "That's the best
thing you've ever said to me," she said. "Are you quite sure you mean
it?"

"Sure," said Jake, and pulled her to him to kiss her once again.

CHAPTER III

BUNNY

When Saltash arrived that evening he found Bunny and Jake sauntering
together in the sunset glow along the gravelled terrace in front of the
house. He shot towards them in his car with that characteristic
suddenness of his, swerving and coming to a stand before the porch with
the confident ease of an alighting bird. And here, seated in the porch
and screened by white clematis, he found Maud.

She rose to greet him, her eyes alight with pleasure. "Oh, Charlie," she
said, "I have wanted to shake hands with