Twice in half an hour had he curtly declined to indulge in personal
reminiscences.

"Can you use a revolver?" he went on.

"My father taught me. He thinks every woman should know how to defend
herself if need be."

"Excellent. Well, Miss Deane, you must try to sleep for a couple of
hours. I purpose examining the coast for some distance on each side.
Should you want me, a shot will be the best sort of signal."

"I am very tired," she admitted. "But you?"

"Oh, I am all right. I feel restless; that is, I mean I will not be
able to sleep until night comes, and before we climb the hill to survey
our domain I want to find better quarters than we now possess."

Perhaps, were she less fatigued, she would have caught the vague
anxiety, the note of distrust, in his voice. But the carpet of sand and
leaves on which she lay was very seductive. Her eyes closed. She
nestled into a comfortable position, and slept.

The man looked at her steadily for a little while. Then he moved the
revolver out of harm's way to a spot where she must see it instantly,
pulled his sou'wester well over his eyes and walked off quietly.

They were flung ashore on the north-west side of the island. Except for
the cove formed by the coral reef, with its mysterious palm-tree