"Where for?"

"Anywhere--the farther the better. I'll pay your passage to Sydney, and
you go or stay there as you please."

She had grown calmer, hearing him thus relenting. "But this house,
Maurice?"

"You are not in debt?"

"No."

"Well, leave it. It's your own affair, not mine. If I help you, you must
go."

"May I see him?"

"No."

"Ah, Maurice!"

"You can see him in the dock if you like," says Frere, with a laugh, cut
short by a flash of her eyes. "There, I didn't mean to offend you."

"Offend me! Go on."

"Listen here," said he doggedly. "If you will go away, and promise never
to interfere with me by word or deed, I'll do what you want."

"What will you do?" she asked, unable to suppress a smile at the victory
she had won.

"I will not say all I know about this man. I will say he befriended me.
I will do my best to save his life."

"You can save it if you like."

"Well, I will try. On my honour, I will try."

"I must believe you, I suppose?" said she doubtfully; and then, with
a sudden pitiful pleading, in strange contrast to her former violence,
"You are not deceiving me, Maurice?"

"No. Why should I? You keep your promise, and I'll keep mine. Is it a
bargain?"

"Yes."

He eyed her steadfastly for some seconds, and then turned on his heel.
As he reached the door she called him back. Knowing him as she did,
she felt that he would keep his word, and her feminine nature could not
resist a parting sneer.

"There is nothing in the bargain to prevent me helping him to escape!"
she said with a smile.

"Escape! He won't escape again, I'll go bail. Once get him in double
irons at Port Arthur, and he's safe enough."

The smile on her face seemed infectious, for his own sullen features
relaxed. "Good night, Sarah," he said.

She put out her hand, as if nothing had happened. "Good night, Captain
Frere. It's a bargain, then?"

"A bargain."

"You have a long walk home. Will you have some brandy?"

"I don't care if I do," he said, advancing to the table, and filling his
glass. "Here's a good voyage to you!"

Sarah Purfoy, watching him, burst into a laugh. "Human beings are queer
creatures," she said. "Who would have thought that we had been calling
each other names just now? I say, I'm a vixen when I'm roused, ain't I,
Maurice?"

"Remember what you've promised," said he, with a threat in his voice,
as he moved to the door. "You must be out of this by the next ship that
leaves."

"N