"Hush, Sidney." Trude's eyes darkened with feeling. "You do not have to tell me that. I have learned _that_ in only a few hours. Oh, I have seen straight into souls--those kind men on the street, as concerned as though you belonged to them, and here--Aunt Achsa with her great courage and her love. And that Miss Vine--they're so _simple_--and so fine--it made me ashamed of my silly standards, my fears." "And Lavender is best of all--" Now quick tears shone like stars in Trude Romley's eyes. She reached out her hands and caught Sidney's. "Oh, Lavender--when I think what _he_ did I--I--" She could not finish, but Sidney understood the gratitude that was in her heart. She leaned her face against Trude's shoulder with a long sigh. "I'm cured of lots of things, Trude. I wanted something different but I didn't want all _this_ to happen! You see I _made_ Lavender and Mart believe it was diamonds Jed Starrow was hiding when it was probably only a case of rum--" Suddenly Trude straightened. "I almost forgot. A boy came here and said a Captain Davies wanted you to come down to Rockman's wharf as soon as you could. That was two hours ago. You see it is nearly noon now. You'd better dress quickly and I'll go out and fix you some breakfast." Sidney obeyed reluctantly. In her mingled remorse and humiliation she shrank from facing the world. She was not even curious as to why Cap'n Phin wanted to see her. By the time she had dressed Trude had a poached egg and a glass of milk ready for her. Miss Letty was with Lavender and Aunt Achsa had gone to bed. Sidney begged so hard that Trude accompany her to Rockman's that Trude put on her hat and went with her. And poor Sidney needed Trude's support for Sunset Lane was thronged with curious men and women; as they walked along the waterfront fishermen and tourists and boys and girls stared and nodded and Sidney's sensitive soul mistook their obvious interest for ridicule. She walked with lowered eyes lest she encounter Mrs. Calkins or Pola's mother. Cap'n Phin was waiting outside the door of the shed on Rockman's wharf. He nodded to Sidney and Trude and beckoned them inside. At any other time, in any other state of mind, Sidney would have thrilled to his air of mystery. Four men sat in wooden chairs tipped at various angles and on the floor before them stood the wooden box from the _Arabella_. The men nodded and smiled at Sidney and brought their chairs to the floor as though to attention. Cap'n Davies solemnly motioned Sidney and Trude to two vacant chairs and then cleared his throat. "I cal'late, Miss Sidney, that you've a sort o' interest in this cargo we brought in on the _Sally_ so we stood by 'til you hove in sight. Now, mebbe it's what we think it is and mebbe it isn't. Si, give a hand and unload." One of the men knelt down by the box and proceeded to open it with a hammer and a chisel. The others leaned forward with interest. Sidney held her breath.