"A very simple, very old, but very powerful one, I'm beginning to think, the source of all human progress--the determination to build a home here in one of these flower-robed hills overlooking the sea, and bring my bride to it some glorious day like this when every tree is festooned with joy! I don't want a modest cottage. My bride was born a queen. Every line of her delicate and sensitive face proclaims her royal ancestry. She shall have a palace. Love, Beauty, Music, Art, and Truth shall be her servants. I shall be the magician who will create all this out of the dirt men are now trampling under foot along the beach." Barbara drew a deep breath, trembled, and looked away. "I promised her never to speak of love again until her own dear lips called me, and I will not, though I fear sometimes the waiting seems long." "And if she never calls?" the girl asked, dreamily. "Then my palace shall remain silent and empty. Her hand alone can open its doors." "And if I do not see you often while your palace is building, you may know at least I have not forgotten--and you will understand?" "Yes, I will understand," he answered, with elation. CHAPTER XXXI IN LOVE AND WAR With untiring zeal Norman gave himself to work on the dredge. Wolf refused to modify his original order that a full day should first be given as a labourer in the foundry and machine shops before he could devote himself to his invention. This proved an advantage rather than a hindrance. By his unfailing courtesy, good fellowship, skill, and wit, Norman won his fellow workmen as warm personal friends. He was able thus to secure all the assistance he needed in his work. Within two months the big dredge was finished. From the first the regent had regarded Norman's fad with contempt. That he could succeed in making money out of dirt containing but twenty cents' worth of gold to a ton was an absurdity on its face. While the young inventor worked day and night with tireless energy the regent quietly perfected his grip on the life of the rapidly growing colony. To render escape from the island or communication with the coast more impossible than ever, he established the strict system of double patrol around each community. No member of the Brotherhood was allowed to leave his room at night without permission. Beyond the outer patrol a mounted guard was established and the entire line of beach was guarded by watchmen in relays who reported each hour, day and night, by telephone to the commandant.