In the sheltered nook astern the face of Riever the would-be strong man, the Devil's advocate, broke up like any calfish boy's. He fumbled clumsily for her hand. "Don't!" whispered Pen sharply. "They'll see!" "What of it?" he mumbled. "I won't have it!" said Pen. His eyebrows went up in a stare of indignant amazement. Nobody had ever spoken to him like that. But as it had absolutely no effect, they gradually came down again into the likeness of a sulky schoolboy's. "Aw, Pen!" She struggled hard with her repulsion. "Well ... well ... I hate to be touched!" "One would think there was something the matter with me!" he muttered. "This is simply weak of you," Pen said cunningly. He looked away grinding his teeth. Fortunately, as it was but three minutes to the Point, the scene could not be prolonged. As they drew close to the old wharf they made out that there were a number of men upon it with lanterns and flash lights. "What's going on there?" Riever asked his steersman. "Couldn't say, sir. Everything was quiet when we started over." They heard a hail from the wharf: "On board the _Alexandra_!" And the answer: "Hello!" "Give us some light here, please!" The yacht's big search-light was thrown dazzlingly on the end of the wharf showing up all the figures in sharp silhouette. The speed-boat approached unnoticed from the other side. The instant she drew alongside Riever sprang out and ran across. Pen guessed what was happening, and her heart seemed to stop and sink like a stone. But she followed Riever with a composed face. All the men were looking over the other side, their heads down to keep the blinding glare out of their eyes. One had a rope with a grappling iron on the end of it. He was fishing for something while they all watched. The burly figure of Delehanty was conspicuous. "What's wrong here?" demanded Riever. "Don't know as there's anything wrong, sir. One of the men swimming here, said he dived into something suspicious. We're trying to locate it." As he spoke the man with the rope said: "I've got it!" And started to haul in. The green water surged up a little and the curved stem of the canoe rose out of it. The valise appeared, tied to a thwart. Delehanty's harsh voice cried: "Counsell's canoe, by God! He never went away from here!" Of one accord all the men turned and looked at Pen. She bore it unflinchingly. She disdained to turn away. Riever's face working uncontrollably with rage, looked truly devilish. Conscious that he was betraying himself, he turned his back sharply to the light. When she had given them their fill of looking, Pen turned and commenced to walk slowly away. "One moment, Miss!" said Delehanty. Pen half turned. "I'm going home," she said in a composed voice. "If I'm wanted you'll find me there." She walked on, taking care not to hurry herself. But her heart was beating with a bird's wings. "No, you don't!" cried Delehanty, and started after her.