It may be that Egbert noticed this. Or it may be that with his triumph so closely approaching a certainty he could not resist a slight gloat. At all events he paused for an instant, a demure gleam in his eye and the corner of his lip beneath the drooping mustache lifting in an amused smile. "A beautiful day, Captain," he said. Kendrick admitted the day's beauty. He would have passed through the gateway, but Mr. Phillips' figure and Mr. Phillips' cane blocked the way. "It seems to me that we do not see as much of you here at the Harbor as we used, Captain Kendrick," observed Egbert. "Or is that my fancy merely?" The captain's answer was noncommittal. Again he attempted to pass and again the Phillips' walking-stick casually prevented. "I trust that nothing serious has occurred to deprive us of your society, Captain?" queried the owner of the stick, solicitously. "No accident, no further accident, or anything of that sort?" "No." "And you are quite well? Pardon me, but I fancied that you looked--ah--shall I say disturbed--or worried, perhaps?" "No. I'm all right." "I am so glad to hear it. I gathered--that is, I feared that perhaps the cares incidental to your--" again the slight smile--"your labors as general supervisor of the Harbor might be undermining your health. I am charmed to have you tell me that that is not the case." "Thanks." "Of course--" Mr. Phillips drew a geometrical figure with the cane in the earth of the flower bed by the path--"of course," he said, "speaking as one who has had some sad experience with illness and that sort of thing, it has always seemed to me that one should not take chances with one's health. If the cares of a particular avocation--situation--position--whatever it may be--if the cares and--ah--disappointments incidental to it are affecting one's physical condition it has always seemed to me wiser to sacrifice the first for the second. And make the sacrifice in time. You see what I mean?" Kendrick, standing by the post of the gateway, looked at him. "Why, no," he said, slowly, "I don't know that I do. What do you mean?" The cane was drawn through the first figure in the flower bed and began to trace another. Again Mr. Phillips smiled. "Why, nothing in particular, my dear sir," he replied. "Perhaps nothing at all.... I had heard--mere rumor, no doubt--that you contemplated giving up your position as superintendent here. I trust it is not true?" "It isn't." "I am delighted to hear you say so. We--we of the Harbor--should miss you greatly." "Thanks. Do you mind telling me who told you I was goin' to give up the superintendent's position?" "Why, I don't remember. It came to my ears, it seemed to be a sort of general impression. Of course, now that you tell me it is not true I shall take pains to deny it. And permit me to express my gratification." "Just a minute. Did they say--did this general impression say why I was givin' up the job?"