Forbes’ lips curved in a cruel smile. “_Your_ ship, Miss Fairfax,” he echoed. “You have no ship. You and your companions abandoned the Queen of your own accord, and by the law of the sea she and everything on her became the property of any one who salvaged her. My men have taken possession of everything, including your abandoned trunks--which are now mine. You have no place to lay your head, and nothing in the world except what you have on your person. However, I am not unkind. For twenty-four hours I will give you food and shelter. At the end of that time--well, we will see. Now you may go with Mother Joyce, who will care for you. And think over my proposition.” XII DOROTHY’S hours of grace passed all too quickly. The girl’s natural impulse was to turn at once to Howard for aid, and when the moments sped by without bringing him, she turned to Mrs. Joyce and learned of his imprisonment. “But don’t you be worryin’ about that, miss,” said the kindly Irishwoman. “It’s safe and sound he is. The cap’n is just kapin’ him locked up till after the wedding.” “There’ll be no wedding,” flashed Dorothy. “An’ why not? It’s worse you might do, my dear. All men are cantankerous, but Cap’n Forbes ain’t a bad sort, if you take him the right way; an’ he’ll make a good husband--the best here, anyway. An’ you’ve got to remember that while a smart man might get out of here, if he was free, even the smartest man--let alone a woman--couldn’t if the cap’n didn’t want him to; and sure it is the cap’n don’t want you to go. I know it’s hard, but I don’t see but what it’s the best thing you can do--seein’ you wouldn’t marry your friend, Mr. Howard, under any circumstances.” And Mother Joyce glanced quizzically into Dorothy’s face. The girl blushed; then hid her face. “Oh! Mrs. Joyce,” she sobbed. “I--he--things were different when I said that.” “Oh! indade! Now, were they? You nad’n’t say any more, miss. A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind horse. It’s a fine, upstandin’ young fellow he is, and I don’t blame you. Joyce and I’ll do what we can for you and him. And you’ll not be lavin’ us behind when you sail away?” “Leave you! Never!” Fortunate it was that this understanding had been reached so quickly, for little further opportunity for talk was offered later. All that evening and all the next morning the members of the community visited Dorothy, one by one, each with tales to tell of the pleasures of life in the Sea and with praises of Captain Forbes. Not one seemed disposed to help the girl. Even Mr. Willoughby, the minister, could give her little comfort. When she appealed to him directly to help her, he squirmed uncomfortably. “Captain Forbes is a man of wrath,” he mumbled; “hard to resist. My sacred calling is of little import in his eyes. If you decide to refuse him, I trust I shall find strength to offer you such support as I may. But you must remember that I am only one--and a man of peace besides.”