"If it were, the poor fellow's dead by now," said Brack. "They did say at the time it was the woman, the wife, that got him into his trouble. Women's generally at the bottom of these things. I believe she was a mighty fine woman too; but she must have been wicked." Lenise was restless. "Don't you think we had better put back?" she said. "I thought you wanted to row round the men-o'-war," he said. "It is too far; I want to be back for lunch." "Shall I turn round?" "Yes, please." "Do you think they'll catch the man who escaped?" she asked before they reached the landing steps. "I think he's dead or they'd have got him afore now," said Brack. She gave a sigh of relief, as she handed him half a sovereign. "I haven't got any change," said Brack. "You can keep that; you interested me in your conversation. What did you say was the name of the man from the prison?" "Carl Hackler," said Brack. "Thank you; if I wish to go out again I will take your boat." "Very good, my lady, always at your service," said Brack; adding to himself, "I'd like to find out who she is, and why she's so mighty interested in it all." CHAPTER XIII A WOMAN'S FEAR Lenise Elroy was troubled; she felt uneasy, afraid of something, she hardly knew what; she had a presentiment that a calamity hung over her, that much trouble was in store. Fletcher Denyer was irritated. She was not at all like the gay woman of a few days back; what ailed her? He questioned her, received no satisfactory reply. "I want to go to town," he said. "I don't; I like being here." "But I must return to London, I have a lot of business to see to." She smiled; when he talked about business it amused her. He noticed it and said angrily: "You never think I do anything in the way of business." "I judge by results," she answered. "And I don't show any, is that it?" She nodded. "Look here, Len, we've been together for a couple of years and been good friends; we don't want to quarrel now." "I'm sure I've no wish to do so." "There's a good deal more in me than you imagine. Why didn't you speculate in those Mexican shares I told you about? You'd have made a pile." "I should; you were right in that instance. It has always struck me you know a good deal about Mexico." "Perhaps I do; it's a great country, I'm told." "I suppose you have not been there?" she said. "If I had, I should probably be better off." "If you must go to London, go. I'll follow in a few days," she said. "You seem to have suddenly taken an interest in the place." "I have, I like it. It is my first visit. I think it beautiful," she said.