He would have drawn back into the shadow of the interlacing pines, but that he saw he was observed by a minister who stepped eagerly forward. "You are a stranger in our midst," he said, holding out his hand to him; "I do not recollect having seen your face before. I-- I have a favor to ask of you. Would you mind lending me your assistance as far as the house yonder--the Varrick mansion--which you can see over the trees? I-- I am not very well--have just recovered from a spell of sickness. I-- I wish to visit the inmates of the mansion to perfect some arrangements concerning a happy event that is to take place on the morrow, within those walls. I find myself overtaken by a sudden faintness. I repeat, would you object to giving me your arm as far as the entrance gate yonder?" Captain Frazier complied, with a profound bow. "I shall be only too happy to render you any assistance in my power," he murmured. "I used to know the family at Varrick mansion a few years ago," he went on. "I am not so well acquainted, however, with the present heir. Pardon me, but may I ask if the event to which you allude, that is to take place to-morrow, is a marriage ceremony?" The minister bowed gravely. "Between young Mr. Varrick and a Miss Bain?" Again the reverend gentleman inclined his head in the affirmative, remarking that the bride-to-be was as sweet and gracious as she was beautiful. Captain Frazier looked narrowly at his companion for an instant, then he asked, quickly: "Again I ask your pardon for the questions I wish to put to you, but are you not the same minister who was sent to perform the marriage ceremony up at the Thousand Islands? and, again, the same minister who, later on, united Mr. Varrick in marriage to the beautiful Gerelda Northrup?" The reverend gentleman bowed, wondering vaguely why the stranger should catechise him after this fashion. "You seem well acquainted with the family history, my friend," he remarked, slowly. "Yes," Frazier answered, shortly, adding, in a low, smooth voice: "It was a fatal accident which robbed Hubert Varrick, some time since, of the bride whom he had just wedded. Her death has never been clearly proven, has it?" "Oh, yes, it has," returned the minister. "Her body was among the unfortunates who were afterward recovered." "Ah!" said Frazier, _sotto voice_, adding: "It is so very strange, my good sir, that after this thrilling experience, Varrick should take it upon himself to secure another wife." The good minister looked at him, quite embarrassed. He did not care to discuss the subject with one who was an entire stranger to him, wondering that he should introduce such a personal subject, and at such a time and place. "Excuse me, my friend, but I feel a little delicacy in discussing so personal a matter," he said, gently. But this did not in the least abash Captain Frazier.