“I didn't do it for your sake,” said the man. “I did it because that's my enemy”--he pointed to the sea--“and I wouldn't lose a chance of having a shy at him. It's my impression he's only second best this time again. Never mind. How do you feel, miss?” “Only a little tired,” said Daireen. “I don't think I could walk back to the hotel.” “You won't need,” said the man. “Here comes a Cape cart and two ancient swells in it. If they don't give you a seat, I'll smash the whole contrivance.” “Oh!” cried Daireen joyfully; “it is papa--papa himself.” “Not the party with the brass buttons?” said the man. “All right, I'll hail them.” Colonel Gerald sprang from the Cape cart in which he was driving with the commodore of the naval station. “Good God, Daireen, what does this mean?” he cried, looking from the girl to the man beside her. But Daireen, regardless of her dripping condition, threw herself into his arms, and the stranger turned away whistling. He reached the road and shook his head confidentially at the commodore, who was standing beside the Cape cart. “Touching thing to be a father, eh, Admiral?” he said. “Stop, sir,” said the commodore. “You must wait till this is explained.” “Must I?” said the man. “Who is there here that will keep me?” “What can I say to you, sir?” cried Colonel Gerald, coming up and holding out his hand to the stranger. “I have no words to thank you.” “Well, as to that, General,” said the man, “it seems to me the less that's said the better. Take my advice and get the lady something to drink--anything that teetotallers won't allow is safe to be wholesome.” “Come to my house,” said the commodore. “Miss Gerald will find everything there.” “You bet you'll find something in the spirituous way at the admiral's quarters, miss,” remarked the stranger, as Daireen was helped into the vehicle. “No, thank you, General, I'll walk to the hotel where I put up.” “Pray let me call upon you before I leave,” said Colonel Gerald. “Delighted to see you, General; if you come within the next two hours, I'll slip the tinsel off a bottle of Moët with you. Now, don't wait here. If you had got a pearly stream of salt water running down your spine you wouldn't wait; would they, miss? Aw revaw.” CHAPTER XXXVI. I shall, first asking your pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return. O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free, Art more engaged. Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.--_Hamlet._ |QUITE three hours had passed before Colonel Gerald was able to return to the hotel. The stranger was sitting in the coffee-room with a tumbler and a square bottle of cognac in front of him as the colonel entered.