"Not at all," she protested. "I've been intensely interested. I'm glad you feel so strongly about far-off places, because you're sure to find plenty of romance where we are going." "And treasure, the doubloons, too--don't forget the doubloons," he laughed, lowering his voice and looking around to see that no one was listening. "And that too," she agreed. "I suppose you've spent your share already?" she bantered. "Well, I'm not quite so optimistic as all that," he laughed. "But I really think we have a chance. Don't you?" "Indeed I do!" she exclaimed. "I don't think it's a wild goose chase at all!" "I'm glad you feel that way about it." "Even if things go wrong, we can't be altogether cheated," she went on. "We'll have had lots of fun looking for our treasure. Then, too, we'll have had the voyage, and the schooner is a splendid sailing craft." "She's a beauty," assented Drew. "I don't wonder you're proud of her." "It was really quite flattering that you men should tell me what you were going for," she said mockingly. "You're always saying that a woman can't keep a secret." "I don't feel that way," protested Drew. "And to prove it, I'll----" "Listen!" said Ruth hurriedly. "Wasn't that my father calling me?" "I didn't hear him," he replied, looking at her suspiciously. "I think I'd better go and make sure," decided Ruth, moved by a sudden impulse of filial duty. "Let him call again," suggested Drew. But Ruth was sure that this audacious young man had said quite enough for one morning, and she held out her hand. "Good-bye," she smiled. "I know from what my father has told me that you have an awful lot to do to get ready for the trip." "Have I?" rejoined Drew. "I'd forgotten all about them." They laughed. He held the soft hand and fluttering fingers a trifle longer than was absolutely necessary, and after he released them he stood watching her lithe figure until she disappeared. When Drew left the _Bertha Hamilton_ he was treading on air and his head was in the clouds. His dream had come true--part of it at least. He had found her, had talked with her. He was going to sail in the same ship with her. They would be thrown together constantly in the enforced intimacy of an ocean voyage. He would see her in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening. And at last he would win her. The last part of his dream would be realized as surely as the first had been. But when he got back to the shop he found that he was in a practical world whose claims refused to be ignored. Winters still needed a lot of coaching, and the time was short. The business must not suffer while Drew was gone. One thing lifted from his shoulders some of the weight of responsibility. Tyke would be at hand to superintend things and to keep a check on Winter's inexperience. To be sure, he would be in the hospital for some time to come, but Winters could go to see him every evening, and get help in his problems.