has some relation to George Gladwyne's death. Your idea is that
an unscrupulous person of my description might find some profit in
probing it?"

"You'll never learn the truth. I've seen to that."

"The fact is, I don't mean to try."

Nasmyth was a little astonished at finding himself ready to believe this.

"Then," he asked, "what do you mean to do about your claim on Gladwyne?"

"In the first place, there's the insurance; but I discovered by accident
that the company Gladwyne had his policy on was the one that had insured
his cousin. Whether they'll be struck by the coincidence and the unusual
nature of both accidents and make trouble or not, I can't tell; but if
they pay up there'll be an end of the thing. Failing that, I'll have to
consider. My demands might be contested by the Gladwyne trustees--the
deal was a little irregular in some respects--but I parted with the money
and I'm going to make an effort to get it back."

"How much did Clarence owe you?"

Batley told him and Nasmyth looked thoughtful.

"Well," he requested, "if you meet with strong opposition, come to me
before you decide on any course, and I'll see what can be arranged. I
dare say there'll be some trouble, but I know the trustees--and, as I
said, there are people who must be saved all needless pain, at any cost."

"It's promised," agreed Batley. "I'll make things as easy as possible,
but that's as far as I can go. I'm not rich enough to be recklessly
generous."

Lisle woke soon after this and asked one or two half-intelligible
questions, but they gave him no information and he went to sleep again;
then Crestwick arrived with more fuel and Nasmyth took the first watch
while his companions rested. He was very cold, and now and then he saw
Batley, who had discarded most of his wet clothes, wake up for a few
moments and shiver. Once or twice he glanced longingly at the garments
spread out round the fire, but when he felt them they were still too wet
to put on. After a while Crestwick relieved him, and when he awakened
dawn was breaking across the black ridges and the rushing river. Batley
had left his place, and Crestwick began to stride up and down the beach,
presumably to warm himself. To Nasmyth's satisfaction and surprise, Lisle
spoke to him.

"You slept pretty sound," he said. "Didn't hear me getting some
information about what happened out of Batley."

"Then you know?"

"Yes," was the grim answer. "The thing's finished; there's not