He drew out a piece of paper and commenced taking down the particulars of Harrigan's name and birth and other details. Then a short typewritten note signed by the consul ended the interview. He gave Harrigan directions about how he could reach a shipping agent on the eastern coast, handed over the note, and the Irishman stepped out of the little office already on his way to the world war. He took no pleasure in his resolution, but wandered slowly back toward the hotel with downward head. He would speak a curt farewell and step out of the lives of the two. It would be very simple unless McTee showed some exultation, but if he did--Here Harrigan refused to think further. It was well after sunset when he crossed the veranda, and at the door he found McTee striding up and down. "Harrigan," said McTee. "Well?", growled Harrigan. "Stand over here close to me, and keep your face shut while I'm speaking. It won't take me long." The words were insulting enough, but the voice which spoke them was sadly subdued. "Listen," said McTee. "What I've got to say is harder for me to do than anything I've ever done in my life. So don't make me repeat anything. Harrigan, I've tried to beat you by fair means or foul ever since we met--ever since you saved my hide in the Ivilei district of Honolulu. I've tried to get you down, and I've failed. I fought you"--here he ground his teeth in agony--"and you beat me." "It was the bucking of the deck that beat you," put in Harrigan. "Shut up till I'm through or I'll wring your neck and break your back! I've failed to down you, Harrigan. You beat me on the Mary Rogers. You made a fool of me on the island. And on the Heron--" He paused again, breathing hard. "On the _Heron_, it was you who brought us food and water when we were dying. And afterward, when Henshaw died, I jumped out before the mutineers and took command of them because I thought I could win back in Kate's mind any ground which I'd lost before. I paraded the deck before her eyes; I gave commands; I was the man of the hour; I was driving the _Heron_ to the shore in spite of the fire." "You were," admitted Harrigan sadly. "It was a great work you did, McTee. It was that which won her--" "But even when I was in command, you proved yourself the better man, Harrigan." The Irishman leaned back against the wall, gasping, weak with astonishment. McTee went on: "I paraded the deck; I made a play to make her admire me, and for a while I succeeded, until the time came when you were carried up to the deck too weak to keep the men at work in the fireroom. Ah, Harrigan, that was a great moment to me. I said to Kate: 'Harrigan has done well, but of course he can't control men--his mind is too simple.'" "Did you say that?" murmured Harrigan, and hatred made his voice soft, almost reverent.