"Jeekum delivered my note to her at noon when he was relieved," said Neil. "He did not carry it personally but swears that he saw her receive it. He sent her word that he would call at a certain place for a reply when he was relieved again at five. There was no reply for him--not a word from Winnsome." Their silence was painful. It was Nathaniel who spoke first, hesitatingly, as though afraid to say what was passing in his mind. "I killed Winnsome's father, Neil," he said, "and Winnsome has demanded my death. I know that I am condemned to die. But you--" His eyes flashed sudden fire. "How do you know that my fate is to be yours? I begin to see the truth. Winnsome has not answered your note because she knows that you are to live and that she will see you soon. Between Winnsome and--Marion you will be saved!" Neil had taken a piece of meat and was eating it as though he had not heard his companion's words. "Help yourself, Nat. It's our last opportunity." "You don't believe--" "No. Lord, man, do you suppose that Strang is going to let me live to kill him?" Somebody was fumbling with the chain at the dungeon door. The two men stared as it opened slowly and Jeekum appeared. The jailer was highly excited. "I've got word--but no note!" he whispered hoarsely. "Quick! Is it worth--" "Yes! Yes!" Nathaniel dug the gold pieces out of his pockets and dropped them into the jailer's outstretched hand. "I've had my boy watching Winnsome Croche's house," continued the sheriff, white with the knowledge of the risk he was taking. "An hour ago Winnsome came out of the house and went into the woods. My boy followed. She ran to the lake, got into a skiff, and rowed straight out to sea. She is following your instructions!" In his excitement he betrayed himself. He had read the note. There came a sound up the corridor, the opening of a door, the echo of voices, and Jeekum leaped back. Nathaniel's foot held the cell door from closing. "Where is Marion?" he cried softly, his heart standing still with dread. "Great God--what about Marion?" For an instant the sheriff's ghastly face was pressed against the opening. "Marion has not been seen since morning. The king's officers are searching for her." The door slammed, the chains clanked loudly, and above the sound of Jeekum's departure Neil's voice rose in a muffled cry of joy. "They are gone! They are leaving the island!" Nathaniel stood like one turned into stone. His heart grew cold within him. When he spoke his words were passionless echoes of what had been. "You are sure that Marion would kill herself as soon as she became the wife of Strang?" he asked. "Yes--before his vile hands touched more than the dress she wore!" shouted Neil. "Then Marion is dead," replied Nathaniel, as coldly as though he were talking to the walls about him. "For last night Marion was forced into the harem of the king."