assured success, to be thus plucked back into the old
bondage. Despite the affectionate tone of the letter, he knew the woman
with whom he had to deal. For some furious minutes he sat motionless,
gazing at the letter. He did not speak--men seldom do under such
circumstances--but his thoughts ran in this fashion: "Here is this
cursed woman again! Just as I was congratulating myself on my freedom.
How did she discover me? Small use asking that. What shall I do? I can
do nothing. It is absurd to run away, for I shall be caught. Besides,
I've no money. My account at Mastermann's is overdrawn two thousand
pounds. If I bolt at all, I must bolt at once--within twenty-four hours.
Rich as I am, I don't suppose I could raise more than five thousand
pounds in that time. These things take a day or two, say forty-eight
hours. In forty-eight hours I could raise twenty thousand pounds, but
forty-eight hours is too long. Curse the woman! I know her! How in the
fiend's name did she discover me? It's a bad job. However, she's not
inclined to be gratuitiously disagreeable. How lucky I never married
again! I had better make terms and trust to fortune. After all, she's
been a good friend to me.--Poor Sally!--I might have rotted on that
infernal Eaglehawk Neck if it hadn't been for her. She is not a bad
sort. Handsome woman, too. I may make it up with her. I shall have to
sell off and go away after all.--It might be worse.--I dare say the
property's worth three hundred thousand pounds. Not bad for a start in
America. And I may get rid of her yet. Yes. I must give in.--Oh, curse
her!--[ringing the bell]--Smithers!" [Smithers appears.] "A telegraph
form and a cab! Stay. Pack me a dressing-bag. I shall be away for a day
or so. [Sotto voce]--I'd better see her myself.--[ Aloud]--Bring me a
Bradshaw! [Sotto voce]--Damn the woman."

CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH THE CHAPLAIN IS TAKEN ILL.

Though the house of the Commandant of Norfolk Island was comfortable and
well furnished, and though, of necessity, all that was most hideous in
the "discipline" of the place was hidden, the loathing with which Sylvia
had approached the last and most dreaded abiding place of the elaborate
convict system, under which it had been her misfortune to live, had not
decreased. The sights and sounds of pain and punishment surrounded her.
She could not look out of her windows without a shudder. She dreaded
each evening when her husband returned, lest he should blurt out s