I've got to see him anyhow,
Buck,--so don't thank me. By the way, while I'm about it, I suppose
I might as well speak to Parson Mackenzie, eh? Or is it to be Father
Francisco? And that reminds me, I'll have to see Malone and find out
about the legality,--got to have the law on our side, you see, Buck.
Something in the form of a license,--United States of America and all
that,--and also see about fixing up desirable quarters on board the
Doraine. I may have to transfer quite a lot of--er--furniture and so
forth from my hut to the ship, and--"

"Gee whiz, A. A., you mustn't go to so blamed much trouble for me,"
gasped the delighted Buck.

"Eh? What? Oh, the devil take you! Beat it now. I'm going to be mighty
busy this morning."

"I'll do as much for you, A. A., if you ever get married," cried Buck,
once more wringing the other's hand. Then he was off up the road like a
schoolboy.

Shortly before the noon recess, Percival returned from the Doraine. By
this time, the news had spread through the camp that there was to be a
wedding. Every one he met hailed him with the excited question:

"Say, have you heard the news?"

"What news?"

"There's going to be a wedding."

"Good Lord!" said Percival to himself. "They must have been peeping
through those windows after all."

Finding that he had ten minutes to spare before school was out, he
decided to call upon Mrs. Spofford. That lady received him with icy
politeness.

"I have been expecting you," she said. "Your friend Mr. Shay honoured us
with a visit yesterday. My niece is at the school. Will you sit down and
wait for her, or--"

"I beg your pardon. What was that you said about Shay?"

"I said he came to see us."

Percival stared, "He did?"

"Please sit down, Mr. Percival. Do not ask me to tell you anything more
about Mr. Shay," she went on hurriedly, and in some confusion. "I don't
believe he would like it,--and as he is a dangerous character, I beg of
you not to--"

"If Soapy Shay dared to intrude--"

"I implore you, do not think anything more about it. He was most
courteous and polite and all that."

He remained standing, his gaze fixed upon her face. Somehow, he guessed
the nature of Soapy's visit.

"I suppose he came as a tale-bearer."

"I must decline to discuss the matter, Mr. Percival."

"Mrs. Spofford," he began, with all the dignity of a courtier, "I have
come to request the hand of your niece in marriage. I have loved her
from the very--"