pbook shocked Louise Grayling. The mystery of
the thing made alert her brain and awoke in the girl vague suspicions
that troubled her for hours. Indeed, it was long that night before she
could get to sleep.

During these days of acquaintanceship and familiarity with the old sea
captain she had learned to love him so well for his good qualities that
it was easy for her to forgive his faults. If he "drew the long bow"
in relating his adventures, his niece was prepared to excuse the
failing.

There was, too, an explanation of this matter, and one not at all
improbable. The reporter of the _Mercury_ claimed to have taken down
the story of the black man who had fought a shark for the life of his
dog just as it fell from the lips of an ancient mariner. This mariner
might have been Cap'n Amazon Silt himself. Why not? The captain might
have been more modest in relating his personal connection with the
incident when talking with the reporter than he had been in relating
the story to his niece.

Still, even with this suggested explanation welcomed to her mind,
Louise Grayling was puzzled. She went through the entire scrapbook,
skimming the stories there related, to learn if any were familiar. But
no. She found nothing to suggest any of the other tales Cap'n Amazon
had related in her hearing. And it was positive that her uncle had not
read this particular story of the black man and the black dog since
coming to the store on the Shell Road, for Louise had had possession of
the book.

Therefore she was quite as mystified when she fell asleep at dawn as
she had been when first her discovery was made. She was half
determined to probe for an explanation of the coincidence when she came
downstairs to a late breakfast. But no good opportunity presented
itself for the broaching of any such inquiry.

She wished to make preparations for the fishing party in the _Merry
Andrew_, and that kept her in the kitchen part of the day. She baked a
cake and made filling for sandwiches.

Betty Gallup accepted the invitation to accompany Louise on the sloop
without hesitation. She approved of Lawford Tapp. Yet she dropped
nothing in speaking of the young man to open Louise's eyes to the fact
that he was the son of a multi-millionaire.

The activities of the moving picture company increased on this day; but
it was not until the following morning, when Louise went shoreward with
the tackle and the smaller lunch basket, that she ag