"If you had remained at the cabin, Nat, you would have known that I was your friend," continued Obadiah. "She would have come to you, but now--it is impossible. You know. You have been warned?" Nathaniel drew Winnsome's note from his pocket and read it aloud. Obadiah smiled gleefully when he noticed how carefully he kept the handwriting from his eyes. "Ah, Nat, you are a noble fellow!" he cried, rubbing his hands in his old tireless way. "You would not betray pretty little Winn, eh? And who do you suppose told Winnsome to give you this note?" "Strang's wife." "Yea, even so. And it was she who set my old legs a-running for you, my boy. Come, let us move!" The little councilor was his old self again, chuckling and grimacing and rubbing his hands, and his eyes danced as he spoke of the girl. "Casey is not a cautious man," he gurgled with a sudden upward leer. "Casey is a fool!" "Casey!" almost shouted Captain Plum. "What the devil do you mean?" "Ho, ho, ho--haven't you guessed the truth yet, Nat? While you and I were getting acquainted last night a couple of fishermen from the mainland dropped alongside your sloop. They had been robbed by the Mormon pirates! They cursed Strang. They swore vengeance. And your cautious Casey cursed with 'em, and fed 'em, and drank with 'em--and he would have had them stay until morning only they were anxious to hurry with their report to Strang. Understand, Nat? Eh? Do you understand?" "What did Casey tell them?" gasped Nathaniel. Obadiah hunched his shoulders. "Enough to warrant a bullet through your head, Nat. Cheerful, isn't it? But we'll fool them, Nat, we'll fool them! You shall board your ship and hurry away with the package, and then you shall make love to Strang's wife--_for she will go with you!_" He stopped to enjoy the amazement that was written in every lineament of the other's face. The red blood surged into Nathaniel's neck and deepened on his bronze cheeks. Slowly the reaction came. When he spoke there was an uneasy gleam in his eyes and his voice was as hard as steel. "She will go with me, Councilor! And why?" Obadiah had laughed softly as he watched the change. Suddenly he jerked himself erect. "Sh-h-h!" he whispered. "Keep cool, Nat! Don't show any excitement or fear. Here comes the man who is to kill you!" He made no move save with his eyes. "He is coming to speak with me and to get a good look at you," he added in excited haste. "Appear friendly. Agree with what I say. He is the chief of sheriffs, the king's murderer--Arbor Croche!" He turned as if he had just seen the approaching figure. And he whispered softly, "Winnsome's father!"