ty.

"Leaving all joking aside, Captain, here is a splendid chance for you.
I'll take you and your bride all the way to New York, or I'll drop you
at any port you like between. I know that Roy and Miss Marion will be
delighted by this chance to get better acquainted with the man who made
their reunion possible. They owe everything to you."

"Yes," Ichabod retorted; "an' I owe them a heap, too. It's that girl
that started the whole change in my way o' thinkin'. She caused me to
decide to take on a fambly an' happiness. I don't much like what ye says
'bout that-thar five thousand, though. Ye see, we folks down this way
don't go round savin' lives fer pay--that is 'ceptin' the coast-guard
boys. What we does is fer the feelin's that possess us. Why, do ye know,
if thar's airy man in Cartaret that I didn't think'd do what I did, an'
more, in this scrape, I'd head a passel o' men to run him clean into the
swamps fer keeps!"

"It's a legally posted reward offered for the discovery of Ethel
Marion," Van Dusen explained, "and there is no question as to its being
rightfully yours. You need have no scruple about taking it. But Roy and
his sweetheart will convince you as to that, even if I can't."

Ichabod appeared dubious for the moment. Then his face wrinkled in a
grin, for he had found a method whereby to satisfy his conscience in the
matter.

"Wall," he declared judicially, "I has lost consider'ble time from my
fishin'." Then his enthusiasm overcame his air of reticence. "Whoopee!
Five-thousand dollars! I cal'late that sure will cut out them
pre-nuptals--whatever they be."

CHAPTER XXIV

A GENTLEMAN'S PROMISE

Roy and Ethel stood by the rail on the yacht's deck as the tender drew
alongside. They were filled with anxiety over the results of the search
upon the shore. Dismay touched them when they saw the cap that Van Dusen
carried in his hand as they stepped forward. Ethel's cheek blanched, but
she asked no question; only stood waiting while the detective stepped
aside with Roy and gave him Garnet's note. The young man hastily read
the message. For a moment, he mused as if in doubt concerning its
significance; then he asked:

"Do you think that he made the crossing in safety?"

"I think not," was the reply. "Captain Ichabod went through the channel
to the other side. He looked everywhere for signs of Garnet's having
continued on up the beach, but the search was fruitless. I have an idea
that the Doctor, in h