Andrew looked up from his gardening, startled by the sudden peal of thunder. Absorbed in his task, he had not noticed the gathering storm. The sky was black with clouds, riven even while he looked with a vivid flash of forked lightning. The ground beneath his feet seemed almost to shake beneath that second peal of thunder. In the stillness that followed he heard the cry of a woman in distress. He threw down his spade and raced to the other side of the garden. About twenty yards from the shore, Jeanne, in a small boat, was rowing toward the island. She was pulling at the great oars with feeble strokes, and making no headway against the current which was sweeping down the tidal way. There was no time for hesitation. Andrew threw off his coat, and wading into the water, reached her just in time. He clambered into the boat and took the oars from her trembling fingers. He was not a moment too soon, for the long tidal waves were rushing in now before the storm. He bent to his task, and drove the boat safely on to the beach. Then he stood up, dripping, and handed her out. "My dear young lady," he said, a little brusquely, and forgetting for the moment his Norfolk dialect, "what on earth are you about in that little boat all by yourself?" She was still frightened, and she looked at him a little piteously. "Please don't be angry with me," she said. "I wanted to come here and see you, to--to ask your advice. The boat was lying there, and it looked such a very short distance across, and directly I had started the big waves began to come in and I was frightened." The storm broke upon them. Another peal of thunder was followed by a downpour of rain. He caught hold of her hand. "Run as hard as you can," he said. They reached the cottage, breathless. He ushered her into his little sitting-room. "Has your friend gone?" she asked. "Yes!" he answered. "He went last night." "I am glad," she declared. "I wanted to see you alone. You said that he was lodging here, did you not?" Andrew nodded. "Yes," he said, "but he only stayed for a few days." "You have an extra room here, then?" she asked. "Certainly," he answered, wondering a little at the drift of her questions. "Will you let it to me, please?" she asked. "I am looking for lodgings, and I should like to stay for a little time here." He looked at her in amazement. "My dear young lady!" he exclaimed. "You are joking!" "I am perfectly serious," she answered. "I will tell you all about it if you like." "But your stepmother!" he protested. "She would never come to such a place. Besides, you are Mr. De la Borne's guests." "I do not wish to stay there any longer," she said. "I do not wish to stay with my stepmother any longer. Something has happened which I cannot altogether explain to you, but which makes me feel that I want to get away from them all. I have enough money, and I am sure I should not be much trouble. Please take me, Mr. Andrew."