“What other reason could there be?” demanded the Captain. “She as much as told me that was it, herself. I was some surprised, of course, for I'd rather cal'lated 'twas as good as settled between 'em, but it turned out that I didn't know what I was talkin' about. That HAS happened afore in my life, strange as it may seem,” he added dryly. Zoeth sighed. “I wish--” he said slowly, “I wish I knew--” “What do you wish you knew?” “Eh? Oh, nothin'. If--if I was only a little mite stronger I'd try to talk with Mary-'Gusta myself. I'd like--I'd like to have her tell me about it.” “Meanin' you don't believe me, eh? There, there, shipmate, it's all right. I was only jokin'. But I wouldn't ask Mary-'Gusta about that, if I was you. Course I know she cares as much or more for her Uncle Zoeth than for anybody on earth, and she'd tell him anything if he asked her; but I don't believe--Well, I wouldn't ask, if I was you. You understand?” “Yes, yes, Shadrach, I think I understand. You mean she felt bad to have to say--what she did say--to that young man and she wouldn't want to be reminded of it?” “That's about it, Zoeth.” Silence for some minutes. Both partners were occupied with their thoughts. Then Zoeth said: “Shadrach, I--I--” He did not finish the sentence. The Captain ventured to remind him. “Yes, Zoeth, what is it?” he asked. “Nothin'. I--I can't tell you now. By and by, if the good Lord gives me strength again, I'll--Never mind, now. Don't ask me, please.” So Shadrach did not ask, but he was puzzled and a little anxious. What was it his partner had to tell and found the telling so difficult? CHAPTER XXVIII It was not until a day in mid-September that Captain Shadrach learned his partner's secret. He and Zoeth and Mary were at the store together. Business was still good, but the rush was over. The summer cottages were closing and most of the Cape hotels had already closed. The For'ard Lookout had taken down its sign at the end of the previous week. Its voyage for that year was over. It had been a prosperous one.