“Great heaven!” he cried--“the _Prinz Karl_? Were you a passenger by her? But she foundered in shallow water, and all on board escaped in time?” “I believe every one,” said the visitor. “I was in the ladies’ saloon at the moment, and, distracted with fear, rushed on deck, leaving all my little belongings on the seat which I had occupied. I forgot everything in the terror of the shock. It was only when we had been hurriedly transferred to the vessel which had struck us, and had backed from the sinking steamer, that I came slowly to realize how our fortune had gone down in her, and that this was the news with which I had to greet my father.” Gilead drew a relieved breath, and smiled. “She will be raised, of course,” said he. “It is only a question of time before you recover your property.” “O, no, indeed!” cried the young in an agonized voice. “It is a question of much more--of life or death for us. Time is our worst enemy. It is that very delay and publicity which will give our persecutor the clue to our whereabouts for which he will be seeking.” “In what way?” asked Gilead. “This happened,” answered the visitor, “three days ago. At any moment now I may expect my father. His flight, you may be sure, will not be long unsuspected by Mr Dark, who will see in this our double desertion a ruse to outwit him. He will follow instantly, with nose and ears open to every scent and rumour. If we claim our property, he will be down on us in a moment; if we do not, we are ruined.” Gilead considered a little. “Well, madam,” he said presently, “you have, if I am not mistaken, a suggestion to make?” The young lady advanced an impulsive step towards him, with clasped hands and burning eyes. “If only,” she said--“O! if only I could recover the jewels before my father’s arrival, and so forestall our persecutor! It was for that purpose I advertised; it is to implore that assistance that I now stand before you, a very helpless, very unhappy girl.” Gilead, never deaf to an emotional appeal, glanced across at Miss Halifax. She sat, with a pen between her red lips, arranging some typescript in a very calm and business-like way. She ignored his look, though she was quite conscious of it. “I conclude,” he said, looking down, and frowning very slightly, “that their recovery is practicable?” “I understand, perfectly,” answered the young lady. “The funnel-heads of the _Prinz Karl_ are almost visible at low tide, and all that is wanted is a diver. The company, to whom I have applied, admit the fact, but decline to make a speciality of my case. They refer me to the salvage operations, which would mean a delay, as I have explained, fatal to our interests. I am nearly penniless, sir, and quite incapable of undertaking the cost, which would be considerable, on my own account. If _only_ you would bear it for me, claiming, if you would, your share--” Gilead lifted a majestic hand.