“Why?” He looked at me pityingly. “To scare Dora, that’s why! But they can’t fool me. They couldn’t talk her out of it, so they wanted to scare her out of it.” “What proof have you got?” I demanded. “Proof? I don’t need any proof.” And then sullenly, “They may be getting more than they’re bargaining for. I’m not going to stand for anything like that, hang it all! They won’t get rid of me that way.” He peered at me suspiciously. “You can go back and tell them that. You’re on their side.” I protested that I was not on any side, but he rose from the table and left me. Puzzled more than ever, I threw away my cigar and then descended to my cabin. After a while I dismissed the events of the morning and pondered upon my own anomalous situation. Having aligned myself against my employer, I must now swim, walk or work my way back to New York. My prospects did not seem bright once we landed in Havana. There was a knock at the door, and at my invitation Rice entered. He had changed into a blue business suit, and his made-to-order face showed no trace of his exciting morning. “Thought I’d come in and talk to you,” he began, seating himself on the edge of the cot. “Mrs. Breese is busy at the moment and she delegated me to tell you that she wouldn’t need your services after we got to Havana.” I nodded. “I’ve got some money here, for salary and your expenses back. I’m sorry the way things have happened. I don’t suppose it’s particularly pleasant for you, but it hasn’t been particularly pleasant for us, either. Now there’s one thing I wanted to ask you----” He paused deliberately. “Not a word about what’s happened this morning. Will you swear to that?” I looked at Rice and then was seized by an audacious thought. Curiosity has led me into many difficulties. “I’ll do no such thing,” I said flatly. “I’m not bound by any confidence. When I leave this boat, I’ll be at liberty to say anything I please.” Rice’s blue eyes became agate. “Oh--so?” he considered. “Yes,” I said coolly. “I resigned as Mrs. Breese’s press-agent before her son threw himself overboard, or at least tried to.” I sought to make my voice mocking. “I wonder if he really tried to.” I saw Rice start. “What in damnation do you mean by that?” “Well,” I hazarded, “I have reason to believe that you and he have--well, shall I call it an understanding?--Yes, I’ll call it an understanding.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rice snapped, but his tone lacked conviction. I sensed that Guy Thomas’ seemingly wild suspicions had some basis in fact. I pursued my advantage. “Of course,” I said, “if I were taken into your confidence, I wouldn’t dream of violating it by telling any tales out of school. But since you choose to distrust me, I am at liberty to act as I see fit.” Slowly a grin spread over Rice’s florid features, and his blue eyes twinkled. He waved a hand, as if in defeat.