He crouched close to her, intent and eager, his eyes ready to read a thousand meanings into the very lowering of her lashes; but she let her glance rove past him. "Well?" he asked impatiently. "It is hard to speak of it." Cold doubt fell upon the captain; he moistened his lips before he spoke. "Hit straight from the shoulder. There's something between you and the Irishman?" She dropped a hand over his mighty fist. "After all, you are our only friend, Angus. Why shouldn't you know?" He stood up and made a few paces to and fro, his hands locked behind him and his leonine head fallen low. "Yes, why shouldn't you tell me! I think I understand already." All desire to laugh went from her, and deep fear took its place; her eyes were held fascinated upon his interlaced fingers, white under their own terrific pressure; yet she understood that she must go on. If she failed, this mighty force would be turned against Harrigan; and Harrigan, not less grim in battle, as she could guess, would be turned against him. She said quickly, to conceal her fear: "I thought there was some trouble between you and Dan. I asked him to promise that he would not fight with you. But I don't need to ask you to promise not to fight with him, for now that you know--" He leaped up and beat his hands together over his head. "And that was why! I taunted him and all the time he was laughing to himself!" He stopped and then whispered to himself: "Still, it's only postponed. The tune will come! The time will come!" She understood the promise. "Angus! What are you saying?" He said quietly: "Harrigan's safe from me while you care for him. Do you think I'm fool enough to make a martyr of him? Not I! But when we get back to the world--" He finished the sentence by slowly flexing his fingers. "I love you, Kate, and until the strength goes out of my hands, I'll still love you. I want you; and what I want I get. You'll hate me for it, eh?" He went off without waiting for an answer, stumbling as he walked like one who was dazed. Her strength held with her until he was out of sight among the trees, but then she sank to the ground, panting. Sooner or later they were sure to discover her ruse, and the moment one of them learned that she did not love the other, they would rush into battle. She only prayed that the discovery would not come till they were safely off the island. Once back in the world the strong arm of the law might suffice to keep them apart. The falling of the fire roused her at last and she set about gathering wood to keep it alive. It was the Irishman who returned first. He waved her to the shade of the shelter and finished collecting the wood. CHAPTER 14 Afterward he inquired, frowning: "Where's McTee? I met him an' he started back to find you." "He's gone off with his thoughts, Dan."